Azeri Handicap Shaping Up
After a big weekend last week, one can’t help to look forward and see what the future has in store for Oaklawn Park. One was able to witness French Kiss gun down the lane to take the Pippin, Rachel Alexandra command attention in the Martha Washington, and finally the icing on the cake, Old Fashioned show that he deserves to be the current Kentucky Derby favorite.
Now it is time to look to the future, and a race that has already garnered some attention is the Grade III $175,000 Azeri Stakes on Saturday, March 8. The mile and one-sixteenth event has a possible starter in Pippin winner French Kiss (pictured), and could gain two others from Smart Surprise and Acoma.
Smart Surprise comes from the barn of Josie Carroll and in her most recent start the mare won the Chou Croute Handicap at Fair Grounds. The 5-year-old mare by Smart Strike won in commanding fashion taking the win by six and one-quarter lengths under Robby Albarado. Incredibly, the mare has 15 starts to her name and has four wins, seven places, and four shows, meaning she has never finished worse than third in her career.
Another to be aware of will be that of Acoma, trained by David Carroll. Carroll has made no secret that the Azeri will be used as a stepping stone to the Grade I Apple Blossom on April 4th. The filly most recently won her last two starts over the turf in graded stakes company at Keeneland in the Valley View and then the Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs. Don’t count the Empire Maker filly out on the dirt, however. On May 31, 2008 she took the Dogwood on the dirt at Churchill Downs. She also holds a credible record, as she has won five races from eight starts.
If last weekend is any indication for what is to come at Oaklawn, fans should start gearing up for the later part of the season, where trainers are already eyeing there shot at Oaklawn greatness.
Spring Fever Has Options
Although the Saturday feature was expected to come up a little light, seven fillies and mares were entered for the five and one-half furlong sprint. The one-two finishers of the American Beauty Stakes, Rated Fiesty and Palanka City, will continue their rivalry in the Spring Fever as expected. However, there are a couple of new shooters to be aware of in the race.
Joseph “Spanky” Broussard ships in Magnetic Miss from his Fair Grounds base for the Spring Fever. The Artax mare will be coming off a freshening after her last race in December at the New Orleans track. The Illinois bred mare has been working forwardly for her 2009 debut, and will get the riding services of Perry Compton.
Another shipper from Fair Grounds will be that of Solarana from the barn of Bernie Flint (pictured). The six-year-old mare exits a third place finish in the Likely Exchange Stakes at Turfway Park. The daughter of Mutakddim has never ran the five and one-half furlong distance, but has shown a liking to an off track, posting four starts on an off track with a win, two places, and one show. Forecasts for Saturday show early showers in the morning. Calvin Borel will get the call to post on Solarana, who will break from the five hole in the gate.
On the far outside Brad Cox’s Temple Street will look to be a two time winner at the meet with the Spring Fever in her sights. The Street Cry mare won her last outing at Oaklawn in an allowance race on February 5th. Passing through the claiming ranks the filly has found a spot running over the Oaklawn surface. Jon Court, who has ridden Temple Street in her last two starts, will keep the call on her in the Spring Fever.
The complete field, horse with trainer: Wriggle, Randy Martin; Palanka City, Terry Gestes; Sentebale, Tim Ritchey; Rated Fiesty, Steve Asmussen. The scheduled ninth race on the ten race card will go off at 5:02 p.m. on Saturday.
A Little Bit More
Fans wondering why veteran jockey Calvin Borel (pictured) is missing in action at Oaklawn on Thursday and Friday can look to Gulfstream’s race card for Friday. Borel is riding Miss Isella in the Sabin Stakes for older fillies and mares. Borel currently sits third in the jockey standings at Oaklawn.
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