TEC Racing’s Fast as Flight (Air Force Blue), trained by Woodbine’s second leading trainer of 2023 Martin Drexler, collared longtime leader Heavenly Sunday at the sixteenth pole and went on to post a one-length victory over Sparkle Blue in the 67th running of the $386,334 Modesty (GIII) for fillies and mares Friday at Churchill Downs.
At 20-to-1, Fast as Flight, purchased by Logan at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale this past February for $105,000, rode the inside in a stalking position under Jose Ortiz, tipped out and was up to win in 1:5063 for 1 1/8 miles on soft turf. The six-year-old mare earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.
This was the first graded stakes win for Fast as Flight, who raced for Canadians Jim and Susan Hill before she was sold in February. Logan and Drexler have teamed up for much success at Woodbine in recent years, including a win by Wentru in the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes in 2022.
But this win, on Kentucky Oaks day. was the biggest for both of them. Logan and Drexler, each decked out in Oaks pink for the afternoon, had a big crowd with them in the winner’s circle.
“My owner (Elliott Logan) really picked out this race right after we ran in Florida (in the Sandy Springs),” said Drexler. “I went along with it as long as she trained well. I knew it was a tougher spot than we would like. I thought a couple of stakes up in Woodbine would be a little better of a fit for her, which I am sure we will be in. This was something that we wanted to try and this is his hometown and it worked out. It worked out very well.”
Ortiz, who had a big celebratory fist pump at the wire, gave the Kentucky-bred mare a dream ride.
“I had a great trip. I followed (Florent) Geroux every step of the way. I knew we were going very fast on the backside and I was on top of him every step of the way. I have ridden her before and maybe she hasn’t run against these types of horses. As Martin (Drexler) told me, I know she has speed, I followed his instructions and it worked out well.”
Fast as Flight returned $43.90, $16.50 and $10.04. Sparkle Blue, ridden by Jorge Ruiz, returned $9.80 and $6.42 and finished a head in front of Aspen Grove (IRE), who paid $6.10 to show under Tyler Gaffalione.
It was another neck back to Heavenly Sunday, who was followed in order by Papilio (IRE), Forever After All, Surprisingly, Mouffy, Queens Command (IRE), Join the Dance and Caroline Street.
Fast as Flight is by Air Force Blue and from the Tiznow mare Tiznow Peace. This is the first foal for the unraced mare. Third dam Visions of Clarity (Ire) is the dam of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War of Will and multiple stakes winner Tactitus.
Fast as Flight has five wins in 19 races and earnings of $654,825.
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