Azeri Tries for a First in Return

Making her first start since the Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap Sept. 28 at Santa Anita, Azeri will attempt to do something no other mare has done.

The two-time Eclipse champion and former horse of the year will try to win the $500,000 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn for a third consecutive year in her first race for trainer Wayne Lukas.

Owned by Michael Paulson, the 6-year-old Jade Hunter mare has to prove she is the same horse that ran off 11 wins in a row for former trainer Laura de Seroux before her 1-5 failure in the Lady’s Secret. She then missed the Breeders’ Cup Distaff with a tendon problem and was transferred to Lukas.

The ones to beat in the 1 1/16 mile, Grade I are Wild Spirit and Island Fashion. Wild Spirit, who won three of four in 2003 for trainer Bobby Frankel, will be running for the first time since she won the Ruffian Handicap Sept. 13 at Belmont Park. Island Fashion has two wins and a second (against males in last month’s Santa Anita Handicap) in her last three starts.

In other races: Madcap Escapade, who has won three sprints by a combined 26 1/4 lengths for owner Bruce Lunsford and trainer Frank Brothers, will try to stretch her speed around two turns in the $500,000 Ashland at Keeneland, Funny Cide returns to New York for the $200,000 Excelsior Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Aqueduct, and Peace Rules heads the field in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Race of the day: There are two others besides the Santa Anita Derby. Contenders in the $500,000 Illinois Derby at 1 1/8 miles include Pollard’s Vision and the unbeaten Song Of The Sword. Humorously, Kaufy Mate and Zakocity head the field in the 1 1/16-mile, $250,000 Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

One for the road: Halawellfin Hala looked good winning in his U.S. debut and can win again in today’s 10th, a $58,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, at Keeneland.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Rock Hard Ten, St Averil and Wimbledon in the eighth, Viva Pentelicus and Doc Holiday in the ninth, Dynever in the 10th and Broad Minded, Kiss’n Dyna and Florik’s Baby in the 11th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/211. Money: Previous day/meet total: $9/$1,115.40. Total money bet: $1,234.