Azeri, Sightseek Match Up

A meeting involving Azeri and Sightseek would have been far more compelling had it occurred last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

That showdown never took place because Azeri was sidelined with an injury, but the two mares will get together for the first time in today’s $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park.

Azeri, the 2002 horse of the year who lost only twice in 16 starts while trained by Laura De Seroux, has lost two of three for trainer Wayne Lukas; Sightseek has lost three of her last four for trainer Bobby Frankel after winning eight of her first 12.

Predictably beaten -- she finished eighth -- when racing against males for the first time in the Metropolitan Handicap on May 31, Azeri will stretch out to 1 1/16 miles in search of her second Grade I win this year.

Unbeaten in three races at Belmont, Sightseek will be ridden by Jerry Bailey as she tries to rebound from a fourth as the 2-5 favorite in last month’s Louisville Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Race of the day: Funny Cide, who has won two of eight races since he took the Preakness last year, is among nine older horses scheduled to run 1 1/8 miles in the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs.

One for the road: In a race that should feature a hot pace, Green Team can get the waiting ride he needs in today’s $125,000 Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Sprint Handicap. Ron Warren Jr. will ride the consistent 5-year-old for part owner and trainer Jeff Bonde in the six-furlong race.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Roman Ruler, Dance Thief and Blue Corner in the sixth, Twice As Bad in the seventh, Quatrain and Conspiring in the eighth and Nut Lovin, Lakerette, Extreme Spice and Charlenesuperblend in the ninth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 4/99. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18.20/$561. Total money bet: $724.