Azeri Comes Up Strong
At Oaklawn, one mare dominated the $500,000 Apple Blossom for three consecutive years. The name Azeri (pictured) brings back some of Oaklawn’s greatest memories. In the words of Azeri’s one-time trainer Laura De Seroux, “She didn’t let anyone down, and she did it in great style. She’s simply the fastest filly in the world right now, you can’t catch her early and you can’t her late.”
Because of her greatness, Oaklawn named the Azeri Handicap after her. On Sunday, March 8, we will see a possible field of six to 11 older fillies and mares, according to racing officials, prepare for their chance to achieve a shot at greatness.
The $150,000 mile and one sixteenth event “is shaping up nicely” according to stakes coordinator Craig Lytel. Three-year-old champion Proud Spell and Acoma, fresh off winning back-to-back graded stakes races in 2008, will be kicking off their 2009 campaigns in the Azeri Handicap.
Proud Spell marked a spectacular year for trainer Larry Jones. The Proud Citizen daughter took three grade I races and posted an outstanding race record of seven wins, three places, and two shows from 12 starts, most of those coming in graded stakes company. Proud Spell took home champion three-year-old filly honors for 2008. Jones has made no secret that the first major goal of Proud Spell’s 2009 will be the Apple Blossom on Saturday, April 4th.
Trainer David Carroll will send highly regarded Acoma into Oaklawn for the Azeri as a prep race for the Apple Blossom as well. The four-year-old filly by Empire Maker comes to Oaklawn off a strong 2008 campaign reeling off five wins, a place, and a show from eight starts, with three wins in graded company.
The Oaklawn based French Kiss will enter the Azeri off her neck victory in the Pippin Stakes three weeks ago. The Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage trainee has posted two back to back wins over the Oaklawn oval, but will be facing her toughest company yet in the Azeri.
The $150,000 23rd edition of the Azeri Handicap will be the feature race on Sunday, March 8th.
Razorback Forms Solid Group
Not to be out done by fillies and mares, the $150,000 Razorback Handicap on Saturday, March 7, starts part of a two day stakes series for older horses. The Razorback will feature a stellar cast of eight to 11 older colts and geldings according to stakes coordinator Lytel.
Oaklawn will not have to search far to find horses to run in the Razorback as seven possible starters are based on the backside of the spa track. Jonesboro (pictured) will be back to defend his Razorback title from last year, and will again have to face the William “Jinks” Fires duo of Spotsgone and Prom Shoes.
Randy Morse has taken his time with barn star Jonesboro in the past month to prepare for his 2009 campaign. The seven-year-old son of Sefapiano has been battling foot problems in recent weeks, but will now put that in the past to defend his 2008 Razorback title. Jonesboro enters the Razorback just $109, 425 shy of a million dollars in career earnings.
Prom Shoes enters his next quest off a dazzling win in the Essex Handicap. The Fires trainee re-teams with jockey Chris Emigh, who has guided the son of Include to some of his biggest wins. The other Fires entry Spotsgone once again could be the likely pace setter. The son of Bright Launch will be making his third race after a lay-off and will be going for his ninth career win.
Ralph Nicks could possibly send in recent allowance winner El Caballo from his home base of Fair Grounds. The son of El Corredor will be making his first start in stakes company, but has a credible record of four wins and four places from ten starts.
The $150,000 Razorback Handicap will be marking its golden anniversary with the 50th running Saturday.
A Little Bit More
Due to Mother Nature training at Oaklawn was cancelled Sunday morning with temperatures in the upper twenties and a frozen track. Trainer Jinks Fires sent out Razorback starter Spotsgone (pictured) for his final work before the big race between races on Sunday. Spotsgone worked five panels after the second race in 1:01.4 under jockey Joe Johnson and Fires was pleased with what he saw. “He went very well. Just what we wanted going into the race. We are excited,” said the conditioner from his pony after the work. Jockey Joe too was also happy with the workout. “Jinks wanted me to go a little slow early then pick it up coming down the lane. That’s what we did. He worked better today then in his last work. He’s ready,” Johnson explained.
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