The Azeri – Grade II
OP Race #1 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $350.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Beldame D J C Racing Stables Gaffalione T

Built her form nicely through last year taking the grade three Rampart and performing consistently in all her other starts. On her seasonal reappearance she closed for a good third in the Santa Monica Stakes over a seven furlongs that was a little too short for her. The draw today will allow her to sit in a decent spot throughout and she is a definite top three chance.

2 Drink Me Pretty Estero Farms Bridgmohan S X

This is a grade one performing filly so is well in at this grade two level. She very nearly won the KYO last year failing by just a head and was also only beaten a length in the BC Distaff. Anything close to that sort of form makes her a big chance in this especially with the coveted two draw which will give her the best hope of a good trip. She was a strong third in the HOU Ladies Classic on seasonal debut and re-opposes the two fillies that beat her that day, can she turn the tables? Well she had a good draw that day and a good trip so it may be a tough ask but it doesn’t take much at HRP to reverse the form so she could easily do that.

3 Empire World Maxmillion Farm Cedillo A

Her form lines have that special HRP look as she went last year from a couple of victories in little state bred optional claimers to two consecutive stakes wins including the grade one La Brea. She debuted with a good third in the Fritchie but it must be said still has a little to prove at level weights with the caliber of today’s opposition. If anyone can then Maxmillion can so with strong works, a good draw she may just be the sort of filly that upsets the apple cart.

4 Z Command Smokey Stover Velazquez J R

Three times a grade one winner last year she looked to be heading to the BC Distaff as a strong favorite to win. Her form. however, tailed off a bit in the second part of the year and after a poor effort on seasonal debut it looked like her best days may be behind her. In her last start however it was proclaimed that the right instruction for the new engine had been found and she waltzed home by a very easy three lengths a win that will have sent shivers down her rivals back. Today is the acid test the best Z Command will win.

5 Scarlet And Gray Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R

The somewhat surprise winner of the HOU Ladies Classic on seasonal debut she beat three of today’s rivals that day and it has to be said with some ease. Could she be one of those that has grown an extra leg thanks to the new engine or was it a flash in the pan. Well the stable know how to get the best out of their racers and even with inferior works and less top level form than some of her rivals she can win.

6 Later Latte Royalty Stables Jaramillo E

It is tough to know where to put this one in this line up. The winner of three from five she has done nothing wrong but faces a huge leap in class today. A top three finish would catapult her into the big time and thrill her owner but she may just need more time to achieve that.

7 Flawed Justice YME Stable Van Dyke D

She ran some good races last year including a close third in the grade one Alabama but whilst some of her best form would give her a big chance she could only managed fourth from the ace draw in the HOU Ladies Classic and will find it tough to reverse those placings from this outside draw today.

8 Precise Performance Mb Stables Davis D

Last seasons BC Distaff winner she has to cope with the wide draw today against a tough field so this will be a real test for her. Second in the HOU Ladies Classic she was coming off a long break so was entitled to need that run and if she is now the same filly that won the Distaff she will be hard to beat. The champion trainer will have to negotiate the wide draw but we all know that is possible and she sets up an intriguing race at the top of the pile.

SUMMARY

What a good looking race this is. We have Precise Performance a BC winner form the powerful Mb Stable, we have Z Command the champion in waiting who is back in form, we have Scarlet and Gray whose win in the HOU race would put her at the top of the ladies pile so far and we have Drink Me Pretty from the perfect draw. So who will win? well any of those for a start but you also have to throw in Empire World and Beldame who are both dangers. I think i will rest on Z Command just because of the confidence her trainer was oozing after her latest win.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES