Azeri BC

Saturday's $175,000 Azeri Breeders' Cup S. (G3) features a showdown between

two titans of the distaff ranks -- HAPPY TICKET (Anet) and ROUND POND (Awesome

Again). Both Grade 1 winners will be making their second start of the year off

an impressive performance, and we could make a case for either lady.

Round Pond has the home court advantage. She broke her maiden last year at

Oaklawn and then captured the Honeybee S. and Fantasy S. (G2) in convincing

fashion. The John Servis-trained filly went on to win the Acorn S. (G1) in her

next outing, defeating eventual champion Smuggler (Unbridled) by 1 1/2 lengths,

but her sophomore campaign ended with a second-place finish over a sloppy track

in the Delaware Oaks (G2) in mid-July. Round Pond returned this year with a

solid six-furlong score over allowance/optional-claiming rivals, earning a 104

BRIS Speed rating for the 2 3/4-length decision, and she'll stretch out to a

more favorable 1 1/16-mile distance (3-2-1-0 at 8 1/2 furlongs) off that

tightener. She'll receive six pounds from Happy Ticket on Saturday and rates a

slight advantage over her main rival.

Happy Ticket enjoyed a fantastic campaign in 2005, winning three of six

starts, including the Ballerina S. (G1), and placing second in the Beldame S.

(G1) (behind champion Ashado) and the Princess Rooney H. (G2), the latter

following a troubled trip. Her only off-the-board finish came in the Breeders'

Cup Distaff (G1), but we're willing to forgive that blemish. The five-year-old

mare registered excellent Speed and Pace ratings last season and is much more

battle-tested than her younger rival here. The Andrew Leggio trainee has never

raced at Oaklawn, but she's shown the ability to take her track with her and is

two for two at the distance.

PLATINUM BALLET (Skip Away) brings respectable form into the Azeri, winning

two straight before finishing third in the Pippin S. at Oaklawn last out, and

she owns an 8-3-2-2 mark over the track. The gray mare owns good tactical speed

and probably has the best chance at an upset. We can't envision that scenario

developing, but Platinum Ballet could grab a small share.

LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]) will be making her final career start before heading

to the breeding shed. The David Vance trainee exits a game win in the Pippin and

has earned Late Pace ratings of at least 102 in each of her last three outings.

Her Speed ratings don't compare favorably to Round Pond or Happy Ticket, but the

six-year-old mare has the class to round out the trifecta.

DADDY'S PETUNIA (Run Softly) is a one-run closer stepping up in class. The

five-year-old wasn't much of a factor at 28-1 in the Pippin, and we'd be

surprised to see her make much of a dent in this spot. TOOK OUT (Barkerville)

looks overmatched at this level.