This Race Is for the Affluent

For a time, Ron McAnally dominated the Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap, which will be run for the 51st time today at Hollywood Park.

The trainer won the Grade I for older fillies and mares five years in a row between 1989-93. He won twice with Bayakoa and Paseana and once with Brought To Mind.

McAnally added a record sixth Milady victory with Listening in 1997 and he’ll try to improve upon his total today with Affluent.

Owned and bred by Janis Whitham, the 4-year-old Affirmed filly will break from the rail under jockey Eddie Delahoussaye in the field of six going 11/16 miles. If she is to win for the seventh time in 15 starts, Affluent will have to beat favorite Azeri.

In two previous meetings, Azeri has gotten the better of Affluent. The daughter of Jade Hunter has established herself the best female dirt performer in the country.

Owned by the family of the late Allen Paulson and trained by Laura De Seroux, Azeri will be trying for her third consecutive Grade I victory and her sixth victory in seven starts. In her last two races, she won the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita and the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.

A victory by anybody else in the field would be an upset.

Completing the lineup are Cashmina, who has won two of four for trainer John Shirreffs, Collect Call, who has earned two of three victories at Hastings Park in western Canada, Ask Me No Secrets, who has won three of five for trainer Dave Hofmans and was only a length behind Azeri in the La Canada Stakes earlier in the year, and Elaine’s Angel.

Race of the day: The sixth, a $48,000 allowance at six furlongs, attracted a full field.

Who’s hot: Michael Hushion. The trainer, who usually wins at a high percentage, had three victories at Belmont Park on Thursday and he will send out contender Be That Way in today’s ninth at Belmont.

Who’s not: Aaron Gryder. The jockey began the Belmont meet in a three-for-47 slump.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Magic Mission in the fifth, using La Bandera, Hot War, Forward March and Bettor Royalty in the sixth and Steadfast And True, Sunkosi and Classic Brief in the seventh.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 5/56. Money: Previous day/meet total: $28.80/$319.40. Total money bet: $378.