First Runner a Winner For Air Force Blue

European Champion 2-Year-Old Air Force Blue got his stallion career off to a winning start on Saturday when Beauty Queen (2f Air Force Blue x Beautiful One, by Medaglia d’Oro) won on debut at Gulfstream Park.

Running over 4½ furlongs on dirt, Beauty Queen was a total professional when racing patiently in midpack as the leaders raced a few lengths in front of the rest of the field. Jockey Cristian Torres let the filly out a notch as they entered the turn and she closed quickly to draw even with the leaders down the stretch.

Pulling away in the closing stages of the race, Beauty Queen won by 1¾ lengths for trainer Carlos David and owner Palm Beach Racing before galloping out strongly.

Bred by Hallmarc Stallions, Beauty Queen is out of the winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Beautiful One, who has four winners from five to race.

The filly also hails from the family of this year’s Grade III UAE 2000 Guineas winner Fore Left and Grade II winner Synchrony. Coming from a strong stakes performing family, all but one of Beauty Queen’s first seven dams are stakes winners/placed or have produced stakes winners.

The highest rated 2-year-old Aidan O’Brien ever trained, Air Force Blue’s first 2-year-olds have sold up to $390,000 and his first yearlings for $400,000 last year.