Haddassah Secures Canadian Classic for Air Force Blue

It was a big day for Air Force Blue on Tuesday when his son Haddassah (3g Air Force Blue x Lady Haddassah, by Whywhywhy) won the Prince of Wales Stakes only hours after Air Force Blue’s full brother sold for $1 million at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Racing over 1 3/16 miles on the dirt in the Canadian classic, the Al and Bill Ulwelling homebred raced prominently just behind the pacemaker. Racing a few paths off the rail, Haddassah took over the lead as they entered the far turn and was quickly joined up front.

Haddassah was eye to eye with a rival for just a few strides but quickly came to take the lead then start steadily pulling away to win by half a length.

Already Grade III-placed, the Kevin Attard-trained Haddassah has finished in the top three in four of his five starts.

“He showed me when I came and worked him here that he took to the dirt well,” jockey Gary Boulanger told Daily Racing Form. “We thought a lot of him. I had a great trip in the Queen’s Plate, but I just didn’t have another gear. He seemed to really like this surface.

He is out of the multiple stakes-placed Lady Haddassah, who is the dam of three winners from three to race and herself is one of five winners from six to race for her Storm Boot dam Baby Lexi.

The family also includes Grade I winner Pioneerof the Nile and Grade II winner Powis Castle among others.

Lady Haddassah has a yearling Lookin At Lucky colt, a weanling Mo Town colt and returned to Air Force Blue this year.

Air Force Blue is seventh among all second crop sires by cumulative winners with 44 born in the Northern Hemisphere, led by six stakes performers.