Air Support rallied brilliantly inside the final quarter mile to secure a narrow victory in the $200,000 Bowling Green Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Belmont Park, his first victory since taking the 2010 Virginia Derby (gr. II) over a year ago.
Ridden to victory by John Velazquez, Air Support got off to a good start in the ten-furlong turf race and soon settled into fourth place while racing along the rail, a couple of lengths behind pace-setting Bombaguia. Brujo de Olleros was racing in second going into the first turn, but was soon passed by Newsdad, who made a bold early run from last after a slow start to settle into second as the field moved down the backstretch. Brilliant Speed was the early trailer.
Bombaguia continued to lead the way through slow fractions of :26.06, :50.55, and 1:14.90, saving as much energy as possible for the stretch run. Rounding the far turn, Brilliant Speed and Air Support made simultaneous bids for the lead, and both looked ready to blow past the early leader, but Bombaguia turned them back easily at the top of the stretch and appeared to be on his way to victory. However, Air Support was able to find another gear inside the final eighth of a mile, slowly wearing down the leader to win the race by a head in 2:06.12 seconds.
Brilliant Speed finished a distant third, while Brujo de Olleros and Newsdad completed the order of finish. The winner is trained by Shug McGaughey and owned by Stuart Janney III.
-Keelerman
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