Azeri Wins Again in Apple Blossom

So much for those who believed Azeri’s best days were behind her.

Making her first appearance since she lost the Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Santa Anita more than six months earlier, the 6-year-old Jade Hunter mare proved she’s still the queen Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

In her debut for trainer Wayne Lukas, Azeri became the first mare to win the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for a third time, beating favored Wild Spirit and three others in the Grade I.

The 2002 horse of the year and a two-time Eclipse champion as the top older filly or mare, Azeri, the 2-1 third choice, won for the 15th time in 17 starts for owner Michael Paulson. She completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.24 while winning by 1 1/2 lengths.

“I’m not a bettor, but when I saw that 2-1, you could have got all I had on me if I would have had a [bet] runner,” Lukas said. “She’s gained weight and looks real good. She would have won the horse show part as well.”

Peace Rules, the 4-5 favorite, won the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap, completing the 1 1/8 miles under jockey Jerry Bailey in 1:48.26

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In a Grade I weakened considerably by Friday’s defection of Halfbridled, Madcap Escapade, the 3-5 favorite, remained unbeaten with a half-length victory over 17-10 second choice Ashado in the $485,000 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

Trained by Frank Brothers for owner Bruce Lunsford, Madcap Escapade, a 3-year-old Hennessy filly set very slow fractions under jockey Rene Douglas in her first try around two turns and went on to win in 1:44.55 for the 1 1/16 miles.

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Pollard’s Vision, the 17-10 favorite, led every step of the way and won by $500,000 Illinois Derby by 2 3/4 lengths over 3-1 second choice Song Of The Sword at Hawthorne in Cicero, a Chicago suburb.

Trained by Todd Pletcher for Edgewood Farm, Pollard’s Vision, a 3-year-old Carson City colt, won for the third time in 10 starts, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.80. Third in the Louisiana Derby in his first start in a graded stakes on March 7, Pollard’s Vision probably is headed to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby on May 1.

“He’s maturing with every race,” said Ginny DePasquale, a Pletcher assistant. “He’s got a little bit of an attitude.”

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Kaufy Mate, a 3-year-old Diligence colt who isn’t nominated to the Triple Crown, dominated his seven foes to win the $250,000 Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.

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A return to New York and an easy trip pressing a slow pace were all Funny Cide needed to win for only the second time in his last seven starts in the $196,000 Excelsior Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Aqueduct.

Tracking 9-2 third choice Host for most of the 1 1/8 miles, Funny Cide, the 4-year-old Distorted Humor gelding and 13-10 favorite, drew clear into the stretch, then held off 7-5 second choice Evening Attire to win by half a length. The final time over a muddy track was 1:49.57.

Owned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg, Funny Cide was ridden by Jose Santos as he won for the seventh time in 15 starts.

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Dynever, who was making his first start since finishing third behind Pleasantly Perfect and Medaglia d’Oro in the Breeders’ Cup Classic more than six months ago, won the $110,600 San Bernardino Handicap at Santa Anita by 4 1/2 lengths.

In the $150,000 Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita, Diplomatic Bag made a successful U.S. debut, beating Statement by three-quarters of a length.