The Azeri – GII
OP Race 1 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $350.000
Four Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares

A field of seven fillies and mares are ready to go for this years Azeri over the strip here at Oaklawn Park. It is a very solid field for sure and any one of the seven could win this race in my opinion. It is a stacked field from top to bottom and I wouldn’t be surprised with any of them if they win.

1. Nice Tactical Speed (10-4-0-1 $339.490), trained by Maxmillion Farm

And here is the first filly we come across in the field and she is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade three Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston. She is a graded stakes winner and she is capable of winning this race if she runs a big one. She definitely has a chance to win.

2. Ineffable (22-3-8-7 $359.930), trained by TwinTowers Racing

And the second runner in the field right here is making the return to Oaklawn after she ran second in the grade three Bayakoa in her last start. She was only defeated by a head that day by another runner in the field so she will have to turn the tables on her. She has a chance to win also.

3. Are We Dreamin (13-5-5-1 $736.970), trained by Mb Stables

The first of two entries from Mb Stables right here and this filly was the runner up in last years Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. She got beat a nose that day and also ran second in the grade three Hurricane Bertie in her last start. She has a chance to win but I do think she is a better sprinter.

4. Pumpernickel Basil (17-5-7-0 $429.800), trained by D J C Racing Stables

Well here is the winner of the grade three Royal Delta in her last start at Gulfstream Park. That was kind of a breakthrough performance for her because she proved that she can run with open stakes company because she has been a force against New York breds. If she runs that type of race she has a good chance.

5. The Reaper (39-12-6-6 $2850.150), trained by John Henry

An old reliable mare right here and she proves every time she goes to the post that she can still hang with the young ones. She won the grade three Bayakoa over this same track in her last start and she ran a huge race that day. If she repeats that performance she is right there at finish line.

6. Millennial (17-6-0-2 $516.520), trained by Mb Stables

The second runner from Mb Stables right here and this filly is coming into this race off of a fifth place finish in the grade three Fritchie at Laurel. She was only beaten a length that day and I do think that she is a better router. I think she has the talent to win this race for sure.

7. Misty Firefox (14-7-1-1 $1419.480), trained by Crocker Ggs

Well here the Kentucky Oaks winner from a year ago and she is entering this race off of a second place finish in the grade three Houston Ladies Classic. She is coming into this race in good form and she definitely has the ability to win this spot. She is going to be my top pick.

Summary

A very competitive field right here and they are very even to be honest. Not a lot is separating any of this field and any one of the seven could win it with a little bit of racing luck. Misty Firefox is going to be my top pick in here but she is no sure thing at all. Good luck to all in the race.

7-5-2-1

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES