Blind Luck, Havre de Grace renew rivalry in Azeri

Champion BLIND LUCK (Pollard's Vision) was last seen in the winner's

circle after taking the August 21 Alabama S. (G1), but has contracted a

serious case of seconditis since that 10-furlong contest. The first to

hold her off was HAVRE DE GRACE (Saint Liam), who got her neck in front

on the wire of the Cotillion S. (G2) to score her initial stakes

victory.

Those two knocked heads a total of four times in 2010, and on

Saturday continue their rivalry as part of the seven-horse field entered

in the $150,000

Azeri S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

Blind Luck and Havre de Grace both ended their sophomore campaigns in

the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1), and were best of the rest behind

winner Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song). Blind Luck managed to gain a

measure of revenge for her Cotillion loss when finishing

second, a length in front of Havre de Grace, in the championship event.

She was one vote shy of being the unanimous choice for champion

three-year-old filly, but hopes were high that last year's Kentucky Oaks

(G1) queen would carry her form forward into her four-year-old season.

Blind Luck began the year in the El Encino S. (G2) over Santa Anita's

newly installed dirt surface, and fell short to Always a Princess. Those

two met again in the La Canada S. (G2) last out, and Always a Princess

once again asserted her authority to be 3 1/4 lengths clear of Blind

Luck on the wire. A bad step in the Santa Margarita Invitational (G1) on

March 12 put an end to the racing career of Always a Princess, leaving the

way clear for Blind Luck to take back the distaff division. The 1

1/16-mile Azeri is merely a steppingstone to the April 15 Apple Blossom

H. (G1), but offers the perfect opportunity for the chestnut lass to

regain her confidence and return to the winner's circle under new jockey

Garrett Gomez.

Though much of the attention will be focused on Blind Luck and Havre

de Grace, ABSINTHE MINDED (Quiet American) could steal the show for

trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The bay lass actually ran fifth behind those two

in the Cotillion last year, but in two starts this season recorded

front-running scores by a total of 8 1/4 lengths. The most recent of

those came in the Bayakoa S. over track and distance, where she earned a

104 Speed figure for her victory, and Absinthe Minded could be tough to

catch if she gets loose on the lead under Calvin Borel.

Also entered in the Azeri are TIDAL POOL (Yankee Gentleman) and SPACY

TRACY (Awesome Again). Another Lukas trainee, Tidal Pool placed in last

year's Kentucky Oaks and Fantasy S. (G2). The bay miss faded to

fourth after taking the lead in the Pippin S. in her four-year-old debut

on January 22, but returned against optional claiming rivals last out to

dominate by 8 1/2 lengths. Terry Thompson, second in the current rider

standings, was aboard for both of those starts and stays in the saddle

on Saturday.

Like Havre de Grace, Spacy Tracy is making her six-year-old bow in

this spot after being off for 113 days. She dropped just two races from

seven starts last year, including the Top Flight H. (G2) and Justakiss

S. to conclude her campaign. The Tony Dutrow runner's first start against stakes rivals

came in the Justakiss, and she is seeking a

third consecutive black-type victory here. Undefeated from two tries at

the distance, Spacy Tracy has recorded back-to-back bullet moves in

advance of the Azeri and keeps Rose in the irons.