Airoforce Returns to the Turf

After a failed trip down the GI Kentucky Derby trail, John Oxley's Airoforce (Colonel John) will still get his shot to run beneath the Twin Spires on the first Saturday in May as he gets back on the grass for the GII American Turf S. Opening his account with a pair of turf wins, including Keeneland's GIII Bourbon S. Oct. 4, the Mark Casse pupil was run down late to finish second by a neck in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in Lexington Oct. 30. Victorious when making his dirt debut in a sloppy renewal of Churchill's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. Nov. 28, the gray failed to fire when 10th in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 20 in NOLA and was a non-factor eighth last time over the Turfway Park synthetic in the GIII Spiral S. Apr. 2.

Sure to give the morning-line favorite a run for his money is the Chad Brown-trained Converge (Sidney's Candy). A debut winner against NY-breds on the Belmont lawn Sept. 19, the Paul Pompa, Jr. runner was second in the Awad S. Oct. 30 and captured the GIII Palm Beach S. at Gulfstream when making his sophomore bow Feb. 27. The bay was third last time behind Shakhimat (Lonhro {Aus}) in the GIII Transylvania S. at Keeneland Apr. 8. Conditioner by Roger Attfield for RGH Bloodstock and Dan Gale, Shakhimat romped by 9 3/4 lengths in the Coronation Futurity S. at Woodbine Nov. 8 prior to his mild upset last time at Keeneland.

A pair of California invaders pose a strong threat in Dressed in Hermes (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid). Owned by Budget Stable, the former won both the Zuma Beach S. and GIII Cecil B. DeMille S. last term for trainer Janet Armstrong. Fourth when trying dirt in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 6, the bay gelding enters off a win in Santa Anita's Pasadena S. Mar. 13. Gary and Mary West's Beach Patrol hit the board in his first two attempts for Wayne Catalano and is undefeated since transferring to Phil D'Amato with back-to-back victories over the Santa Anita lawn Mar. 12 and Apr. 3, respectively.

Todd Pletcher saddles a formidable pair in Spiral runner-up Azar (Scat Daddy) and maiden winner American Patriot (War Front). Breaking his maiden in the GII With Anticipation S. last term, Alto Racing's Azar was third to J R's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday) in the Kitten's Joy S. in Hallandale Jan. 30 and won an optional claimer on the dirt there Feb. 28 prior to his Spiral effort. WinStar Farm's American Patriot finished third in his first two attempts on the Gulfstream lawn Jan. 30 and Feb. 27, respectively, and uncorked an impressive late rally to score last time going a mile over the sod at Keeneland Apr. 10.