Surface to Air notched his second straight Graded Stakes win with a determined three-quarter length victory in the $250,000 G3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park Aug. 16.
The five-year-old Midshipman horse, who captured the G3 Monmouth Cup in his previous start, improved his record to 6-1-3 in 22 starts. Surface to Air led home a Darley-sired exacta in the Iselin, with Street Sense’s First Mission taking second.
Ridden confidently by jockey Samuel Marin, Surface to Air raced in third through the early stages of the race, content to track Repo Rocks and First Mission through the opening half-mile. Surface to Air made his bid on the far turn, sweeping three-wide to take the lead at the quarter pole. He then had to dig in and battle First Mission through the stretch, finally edging away in the shadow of the wire to get the victory.
Surface to Air was bred in Kentucky by Silverton Hill LLC. He is out of Shemazon, an unraced daughter of Congrats, and is from the immediate family of Stakes winners Pashito the Che, Retired Kathy, and Chasseresse.
In addition to Surface to Air, Midshipman is the sire of two-time Stakes winner, Kontiki; Colleen Stakes winner Gerrards Cross, Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes Navy Seal, three-time Stakes winner One Last Chance, and three Chilean G1 winners: Lucky Red (G1 El Derby), The Goat (G1 Dos Mil Guineas, G1 St. Leger), and Cassis Violeta (G1 Las Oaks).
