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2004 NEWS
AZERI WINS SPINSTER
AZERI - ALL TIME LEADING EARNER
MIDWAY ROAD - PIMLICO SPECIAL
APPLE BLOSSOM #3 FOR AZERI
2003 ECLIPSE CHAMPION
11 GRADES STAKES WINS
2002 HORSE OF THE YEAR
FOUFA'S WARRIOR - KENT S.
MIDWAY ROAD - CLASSIC PLACED
FOUFA'S WARRIOR
2004 NEWS 
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12/23 - AZERI RETIRED
12/4 - MIDWAY ROAD wins the Tenacious H at Fairgrounds; updated earnings of $695,060.
10/30 - MIDWAY ROAD wins the G3 Fayette S at Keeneland.
10/10 - AZERI reigns in Overbrook Spinster. She has won 17 of her 23 career starts and has earned $3,959,820. more
8/1 - AZERI turned back Sightseek in the $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday to record her tenth Grade 1 triumph and supplant Spain as North America’s all-time leading female earner. more
7/18 - TREASURED FRIEND wins the Jim Coleman Province H.
6/12 - SARAH JADE runs 3rd in the Scarlet Carnation Stakes.
5/29 - SARAH JADE runs 2nd in the Hoist Her Flag Stakes.
5/14 - MIDWAY ROAD runs 2nd in the Grade 1 Pimlico Special.
5/1 - Mayo on the Side nips AZERI by a nose in a thrilling finish to the Humana Distaff.
4/22 - 'Midway' romps in Ben Ali |
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By MIKE WELSCH
LEXINGTON, KY. - Trainer Neil Howard and owner William Farish were left with some pretty big shoes to fill this season after the retirement of Mineshaft, their reigning Horse of the Year. On Thursday, Midway Road gave Howard and Farish the right to think they might have every opportunity to defend their title when he set a track record en route to an 11 1/4-length victory in Keeneland's $150,000 Ben Ali Handicap.
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Azeri reigns in Overbrook Spinster
10/10 - Azeri spread her exploits to another racetrack and zeroed in on the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships with a three-length victory in the $500,000 Overbrook Spinster Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Keeneland Race Course.
The 2002 Horse of the Year rebounded from a second-place finish in the Personal Ensign Handicap (G1) on August 27 at Saratoga Race Course and registered her 11th Grade 1 win while making her first race appearance at Keeneland.
Typically a front-runner, Azeri was content to stalk at the rail in second while Tamweel set the pace through a half mile in :46.99 and six furlongs in 1:11.71. When Pat Day gave Azeri her cue coming out of the far turn, the six-year-old chestnut mare bounded to the front and quickly put away Tamweel, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.74 over a fast track.
"She’s pretty push-button," Day said. "[Tamweel] outfooted us and we got to the outside of her when we turned up the backside, and [Azeri] was just in a gallop. I encouraged her a little bit late in the stretch, just shook the stick at her, but she was very much within herself. A big, big race."
Day said Azeri is "as good as any mare I’ve ever ridden. She’s absolutely genuine."
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas and Michael Paulson, manager of the Allen Paulson Living Trust, remained noncommittal on whether Azeri will take on males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) or return to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), a race she won in 2002.
"Mr. Paulson will have the final say," Lukas said. "All the votes aren’t equal, obviously. We’ll talk it over and look at it. Either way, I think she’ll be good for Lone Star and the Breeders’ Cup."
Azeri has won 17 of her 23 career starts and has earned $3,959,820. Bred in Kentucky, Azeri is out of the Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss.
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AZERI becomes the North American All-Time leading female earner
8/1 - After losing three straight races, AZERI turned back Sightseek in the $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday to record her tenth Grade 1 triumph and supplant Spain as North America’s all-time leading female earner.
Azeri avenged a last-place finish to Sightseek in the Ogden Phipps Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park on June 19 and ended the longest losing streak of her career, a drought that also included a second-place finish in the Humana Distaff Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1 and an eighth-place in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont on May 31.
The six-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter ran straight to the lead under jockey Pat Day in the 1 1/8-mile Go for Wand and set a comfortable pace of :24.33 and :47.75 through a half-mile.
Sightseek stalked from three wide under jockey Jerry Bailey and moved up for a challenge in the far turn. They raced on even terms heading into the lane before Azeri kicked away inside and drove through the stretch to win by 1 ¾ lengths in 1:47.86 over a fast track.
The $150,000 winner’s share pushed Azeri’s career bankroll to $3,569,820. Spain retired in 2002 with the previous female record of $3,540,542.
"We've had more than one horse that people have written off and have come back to win big," said trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who also oversaw Spain. "The beauty of the race was that both [Azeri and Sightseek] had a chance to win it. There was no bumping, no traffic. It was just a wonderful race. At the top of the stretch, you could just say, `Okay, here we go.' It was very gratifying to see her kick it on like that. I always feel comfortable if Pat is on a good horse and he's got a half-length to a neck."
Sightseek finished second as the 0.75-to-1 favorite, with Storm Flag Flying another two lengths back in third.
Azeri, Horse of the Year in 2002 and champion older mare in both ’02 and ’03, won for the first time since the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park on April 3. She has 16 victories in 21 career starts for her owner-breeder, the Allen Paulson Living Trust.
Bred in Kentucky, Azeri is out of the Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss (Aus).
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MIDWAY ROAD - PIMLICO SPECIAL
| Posted: 5/14/2004 6:23:00 PM ET from Thoroughbred Times |
| Southern Image too hot to handle in Pimlico Special |
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In his first start since capturing the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 6, Southern Image continued to climb up the ranks of the handicap division with a gritty victory over Midway Road in the $500,000 Pimlico Special Handicap (G1) on Friday.
The 1 3/16-mile test, which boasted just a six-horse field after champion Funny Cide was scratched on Thursday night, was a two-horse battle from the start as Midway Road took over the lead around the first turn with Southern Image just off his flank through the first quarter in :24.42.
Midway Road continued to lead down the backstretch through a half in :47.53 and was still clinging to a short advantage approaching the turn for home. Despite a game effort from his rival, Southern Image rallied two-wide through the stretch and inched away under jockey Victor Espinoza to stop the teletimer in 1:55.89.
Midway Road, second in the 2003 Preakness Stakes (G1), held for second with Bowman’s Band coming up for third.
With the win, Southern Image earned his third Grade 1 score in just seven career starts. The four-year-old son of Halo’s Image captured the Malibu Stakes (G1) on December 26 and annexed the $1-million Barretts/CTBA Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes at Santa Anita Park in his seasonal bow on January 24.
Bred in Florida by Arthur Appleton and owned by a partnership, Southern Image has won six of seven starts with his only loss coming to Kafwain in the 2003 San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.
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AZERI - APPLE BLOSSOM #3
4/3 - Azeri wires Apple Blossom
By MARY RAMPELLINI
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Azeri made a triumphant return to the races Saturday when, in her first start back from a six-month layoff, she won the Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for a record third time. She wired an all-star field of fillies and mares in the 1 1/16-mile race, covering the distance in a razor-sharp 1:41.24.
It was the fastest Apple Blossom time turned in by Azeri. She won the race in 2001 in 1:42.60, and in 2002 in 1:43.
Azeri was also spotting each of her rivals weight as the 123-pound highweight. This year's Apple Blossom was her first start for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. It was a powerful beginning to a season that her connections hope will lead to championship honors for a third straight year. Azeri was Horse of the Year and champion older mare in 2002, and was also champion older mare in 2003.
Azeri broke a step slowly under regular rider Mike Smith, recovered quickly, and was in command of the race through an opening quarter in 23.20 seconds. Star Parade pushed the pace along in second, while Azeri continued to lead through fractions of 46.60 seconds for the half-mile and 1:10.80 for six furlongs. She was never challenged late, and finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of the favorite, Wild Spirit.
The victory was meaningful to Michael Paulson, who manages the Allen Paulson Living Trust that races Azeri. He sent the mare to Lukas in December after she was withdrawn from last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff and briefly sent to Kentucky.
"She was never retired," Paulson said. "As you can see today, it would have been a shame to have retired her. She's one of a kind, and one of the greatest fillies and mares of all time, and it's a real privilege to be involved with her."
Star Parade finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Wild Spirit. John McKee, the rider of Star Parade, claimed foul against Wild Spirit for bumping his mount past the quarter pole, and there was a stewards' inquiry into the incident, but the results stood. The order of finish was completed by Island Fashion, Keys to the Heart, and Golden Sonata.
Azeri, who was sent to post as third choice in the wagering, paid $6. She earned $300,000 for the victory, which was her 15th from 17 career starts. Her earnings now stand at $3,344,820. Azeri is within striking distance of passing Spain as the all-time richest filly or mare in North America. Spain earned $3,540,542.
Attendance at Oaklawn on Saturday was 31,076. Handle on the 12-race card was meet-high $8,378,386.
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AZERI - ECLIPSE CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE
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AZERI - MAKES IT 11 GRADED STAKES WINS IN A ROW
Azeri’s streak continued on Sunday with an easy front-running victory in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, her 11th straight win graded stakes win. The five-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter took control out of the gate and set an easy pace with fractions of :23.34 and :47.09 under rider Mike Smith. Grade 1 winner Got Koko stalked from the rail into the far turn, but Azeri kicked clear at the top of the lane under a hand ride to complete 11/16 miles in 1:42.12 over a fast track. “I didn’t begin to hit all of her gears,” said Smith, a newly elected member of the Racing Hall of Fame who was celebrating his 38th birthday on Sunday. “I may never get to the bottom of her. She’s just amazing; I’ve never seen anything like it.” With an impost of 127 pounds, Azeri spotted her four rivals nine to 19 pounds. Azeri won the Clement L. Hirsch last year on the way to Horse of the Year honors. Her win streak also includes back-to-back wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn Park and the Milady Breeders’ Cup (G1) and Vanity (G1) Handicaps at Hollywood Park.
Forgive jockey Mike Smith for not speaking more enthusiastically about reigning Horse of the Year Azeri. After riding Azeri to ten straight victories and 13 wins in her 14 career starts, the Eclipse Awardwinning jockey admits he is “running out of things to say about her.” He did not have to say much following the five-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter’s latest performance—a two-length victory over Sister Girl Blues in the $250,000 Vanity Handicap (G1) on Saturday at Hollywood Park. In addition to continuing her prolific winning streak, which dates back to February 2002, Azeri made history as the fourth two-time winner of the Vanity. “She is just amazing,” Smith said of the 2002 champion older mare. “I asked her to run just the last little bit only to get the weight going forward. We were carrying 127 pounds, and I didn’t want to be idling between the sixteenth pole and the wire just in case somebody did make a run.” Bare Necessities put on a strong effort toward the wire but was unable to muster the energy to catch the leaders, finishing in third a halflength behind Sister Girl Blues. Bred by Allen Paulson, and campaigned by the Allen Paulson Living Trust, Azeri is the only starter out of the Group 3 winning Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss
AZERI Wins the Milady (G1) for the second time in a row.
“Man, she is just amazing,” Smith said. “I figured one would go at her pretty hard early. I didn’t expect it to be (Damaschino), but it didn’t bother me that she did.
“[Azeri] sees ‘em coming. I don’t even look,” Smith continued. “She tells me they’re coming. I can feel her jump on the bridle. And as soon as she does, I just let her go with it.”
The Milady win puts Azeri at nine consecutive wins, and puts her one win closer to trainer Laura de Seroux’s goal of the besting the record of 16-straight wins, currently held by Citation, Cigar, Hallowed Dreams, and Mister Frisky.
For her career, Azeri has 12 wins in 13 starts, and one runner-up finish. Her total earnings for the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust are $2,654,820. In addition to her 2002 and ’03 scores in the Milady, Azeri has back-to-back wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap, and won the 2002 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1), Vanity Handicap (G1), Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2), and Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) en route to to the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year and champion older mare
After nearly 6 months away from the races while the lawyers argued her fate, AZERI (red and blue)) returned in the Apple Blossom H (G1) and wore down a gallant TAKE CHARGE LADY in the stretch to win for the second year in a row. Azeri, a daughter of Jade Hunter, has a 11-1-0 record from 12 starts with earnings of $2,527,740..
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AZERI - HORSE OF THE YEAR
Azeri, the 5 year old filly by JADE HUNTER out of the mare Zodiac Miss *AUS, was named Horse of the Year at the 2003 Eclipse Awards Ceremony. Not since 1996 has a filly won the honor and never has a filly won it while not having run against the colts. Azeri's impressive win in the Breeders Cup Distaff was her seventh stakes win in 2002 and coupled with War Emblem's poor run in the Breeders Cup Classic stamped Azeri as the Horse of the Year. Bred by the late Allen Paulson and raced by the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, Azeri is trained by Laura De Seroux. Azeri is scheduled to start next in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn.
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FOUFA'S WARRIOR WINS $250,000 G3 Kent & sets NTR
On July 20, former classic starter Foufa’s Warrior won his first victory of this year as well as the first graded stakes triumph of his career in the $250,000 Kent Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3) at Delaware Park. Under Ramon Dominguez, the three-year-old Jade Hunter gelding rated at the back of the seven-horse field before moving four wide around the final turn and wearing down his rivals in the stretch for a 11/4-length victory over Claiborne Farm’s homebred Remind. Foufa’s Warrior covered the distance on a firm turf course in 1:47.44, a track record for the distance on the turf. Bred in Maryland by Howard and Sondra Bender and trained by Lawrence Murray, Foufa’s Warrior won his first two career starts, including the Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes on December 31 at Laurel Park.He was 7th to Funny Cide in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Foufa’s Warrior has won three of eight career starts in two seasons and has earned $313,008 for Sondra Bender.
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Midway Road (Jade Hunter x Fleet Road) won a tough 59000n2x allowance race at Keeneland by 11 3/4 and then came back to run second in the PREAKNESS (G1) and 3rd in the Ohio Derby (G2) and jumped his earnings to $323,045
Midway Road, the only member of the field without a previous stakes win or stakes placing, did his barn proud, winding his way through heavy traffic and outfinishing Scrimshaw and Peace Rules for a $200,000 second place finish in the PREAKNESS (G1). “He ran an awesome race,” said jockey Robby Albarado, “He got squeezed a little bit in the first part of the race, but he really squared himself away quickly. He’s a very athletic little horse. He’s still a little immature though. You’ve got to be careful with him going through those tight spots, but once he got through there, he was a game second.”
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FOUFA'S WARRIOR Graded stakes placed in the Illinois Derby (G2) and the Crown Royal American American Turf S. (G3).
Foufa's Warrior Ch. g. 3, Jade Hunter—Foufa, by Storm Bird knocked on the stakes door again in graded company and ran third in the Crown Royal American Turf (G3) in his first start on the grass. He broke in the air, trailed the field and the came 10 wide to finish third. Earlier he ran third in the Illinois Derby (G2) on April 5th at Hawthorne Park. Before that he had run second in the $75,000 Deputed Testimony S. at Laurel on March 1. His earnings stand over $150,000 and his record at 5 2-1-2. He has never been off the board.
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