Well-Bred Ablah Breaks Maiden for Air Force Blue
Trainer Adrian McGuinness had Ablah (2f Air Force Blue x Here Comes Lucinda, by Dixieland Band) ready to run on Wednesday with the filly breaking her maiden against the colts at Dundalk to become Air Force Blue’s 12th winner.
Racing over six furlongs on the synthetic surface in Ireland, Ablah was placed just behind the leaders by Gavin Ryan as she settled on the rail. The filly took full advantage of a gap turning into the stretch between the leader and the rail as they set down for the final two furlongs.
In no time at all, Ablah was alongside before taking the lead with a furlong left to go. There was no serious challenge from then as the Phoenix Thoroughbreds Limited-owned filly raced away to a 1¾ length win in the end.
A half-sister to Grade I winner Stormy Lucy, the Kingswood Farm LLC and Peter McFarland-bred is one of five winners out of Here Comes Lucinda.
That mare is also the granddam of Grade II-winning Big Runnuer, who lines up in this weekend’s Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. A strong producer herself, Here Comes Lucinda is also a half-sister to three stakes horses, including two stakes winners and out of the stakes-placed Lucinda K.
A European Champion 2-Year-Old himself, freshman sire Air Force Blue is off to a good start at stud with 12 winners including stakes placed Chief Little Hawk and Grade II fourth Mashnee Girl.