The 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna makes her 4-year-old debut Saturday at Oaklawn Park in the Azeri Stakes, a race named in honor of the 2002 Horse of the Year. Those fabulous fillies share some common history in this 1-1/16 miles local prep for the Grade 1 Apple Blossom. It’s a race whose recent history includes renowned winners like Ce Ce, Midnight Bisou, Close Hatches, Havre de Grace and Round Pond.
Let’s Meet the Contenders for the Race 10 Azeri Stakes:
#1-THORPEDO ANNA: Dominant 3-year-old filly of 2024 capped her 6-for-7 season by adding the Breeders’ Cup Distaff to her Kentucky Oaks-winning resume. Cruised in Oaklawn’s Grade 2 Fantasy last March along the way to Louisville. Her only defeat on the campaign was a head runner-up to Fierceness in the Travers when taking on the boys. Typically, 1-2-3 in the early running, she’ll be forward to secure her rail draw under Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer Kenny McPeek has managed a $3.8 million career so far out of this $40,000 Fast Anna filly.
#2-ALPINE PRINCESS: Remington Park Oaks winner comes into the Azeri off back-to-back photo runner-up finishes in the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Sam Houston Ladies Classic. Trainer Brad Cox won the 2021 Azeri with Shedaresthedevil and 2016 with Call Pat. Jockey Cristian Torres leads the current meet standings in pursuit of a third straight Oaklawn riding title.
#3-JODY’S PRIDE: Since being sidelined in April, she’s improved in 2 starts back for trainer Jorge Abreu. Her last was a third-place effort by a neck in the Grade 2 Inside Information at Gulfstream Park. South Florida winter-based filly won the 2023 Matron and 2024 Busher at Aqueduct. Local pilot Ricardo Santana is a sharp 4-for-8 riding for Abreu since July. Daughter of American Pharoah, winner of Oaklawn’s 2015 Rebel & Arkansas Derby en route to the Triple Crown.
#4-WILD ABOUT HILARY: Fleet filly has scored wire-to-wire victories in the Pago Hop at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn’s Grade 3 Bayakoa in her last 2 starts. Tanner Tracy trains the daughter of champion sprinter Midnight Lute from his winter base in New Orleans. Unbeaten in 3 starts over the Azeri’s distance and 2-for-2 since pairing with jockey C.J. McMahon, who returns.
#5-RECHARGE: Grade 3 Sam Houston Ladies Classic winner rides a 3-race winning streak back to Oaklawn Park. Last year’s Sunland Park Oaks winner set the pace in OP’s Grade 2 Fantasy before tiring to fifth behind Thorpedo Anna in her only other local appearance. Steve Asmussen trained 2019 Azeri winner Midnight Bisou. She’s 6-for-8 lifetime with 5 of those wins essentially wire-to-wire and expected to be on the pace under Keith Asmussen.
#6-FREE LIKE A GIRL: Louisiana-bred legend has won 21 of 48 races for $2.1 million, as rags to riches as it gets after selling for just $5,500 as a yearling. Now age 6, she’s lost her last 3, including a head photo runner-up in the Grade 3 Bayakoa behind Azeri return rival Wild About Hilary. Also couldn’t keep pace in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Ladies Classic when matched with fellow Azeri prospects Recharge and Alpine Princess. Third in last year’s Grade 1 Apple Blossom at OP for trainer Chasey Pomier. Ricardo Santana wins up on Jody’s Ride as Julien Leparoux takes the mount for the first time.
#7-BOW DRAW: Longshot finished out of the money at 59-1 and 95-1 in her last 2 starts, Oaklawn’s Pippin Stakes and the Trivista overnight stakes. Looks to snap a 7-race losing streak dating back to a summer allowance win at Ellis Park that came via disqualification for Henry West Jr. Rocco Bowen rides the 7-year-old daughter of 2013 Preakness winner Oxbow.
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