6/11/06 – Hollywood Park, $49,000 Allowance.
7 Furlongs.
It’s almost a year since we saw the much heralded debut for the Bob Baffert $450,000 yearling purchase – but AIR ACE proved worth waiting for since he earned a 94 Beyer with this strong effort against other Hollywood hopefuls. Positioned on the lead early Air Ace set swift fractions of :22 and :45, turned back a challenge from fellow Forest Camp colt Paddy Murphy, and was urged clear late to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
6/10/06 – Belmont Park, $250,000 Grade 1 Acorn S.
1 Mile.
A heated battle played out throughout the mile between BUSHFIRE and HELLO LIBERTY, with Hello Liberty staying glued to the shoulder of Bushfire as they flew through fractions of :22.1 and :45 to 1:09.2. Hello Liberty moved to the lead at the head of the stretch and the two dueled to the wire with Bushfire coming on again on the rail to be up by a neck at the wire in a time of 1:35.4. These fillies leave a taste of things to come as competition heats up through the summer.
