Oaklawn stands to once again provide the stage for superstar champions with the Wednesday announcement that Fox Hill Farm’s 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace will return to Hot Springs for the $150,000 Azeri Stakes (G3) March 17.
Trained by Larry Jones, Havre de Grace started her campaign last year with a win in the same race and also conquered the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn. She went on to wins in Delaware and New York including a victory over males in the Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga last September. She finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in her most recent start in November and was named Horse of the Year in January.
Owner Rick Porter announced on Fox Hill Farm’s website that the 5-year-old Saint Liam mare would target a return to the Azeri and that reigning two-time Eclipse champion jockey Ramon Dominguez would be aboard. It is an embarrassment of riches for the Wilmington, Del., car dealer with both Havre de Grace and 2011 Fantasy Stakes (G2) winner Joyful Victory already underway on her 4-year-old campaign.
“Larry and I have mapped out some possible races for the next few months,” Porter said on rockportharbor.com. “We decided that the best choice for Havre de Grace’s first race of the year is The Azeri. Joyful Victory will run at The Fairgrounds in The New Orleans Ladies Stakes on the same day.”
The Azeri is 1 1/16th miles and under the allowance conditions of the race, Havre de Grace would likely carry 117 pounds. Last year she renewed her rivalry with 2010 3-year-old filly champion Blind Luck. Her leading local rival this time figures to be Briland Farm’s Absinthe Minded, who has two wins already this season including last Saturday’s $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes.
Havre de Grace’s presence would amplify what figures to be a huge day as the Azeri shares billing with the $500,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) – the next stop for Triple Crown hopefuls on the lucrative road to the Arkansas Derby (G1).
“Rebel Stakes Day is traditionally our second biggest day of the meet behind Derby Day and this would certainly be a great addition,” said David Longinotti, Assistant General Manager of Racing.
Havre de Grace became the fourth straight horse and fifth straight Horse of the Year winner to be associated with Oaklawn beginning with Curlin in 2007 when he won the Arkansas Derby and Rebel en route to taking the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He repeated as Horse of the Year in 2008 upon becoming the richest horse of all time. Oaklawn has since been a part of the unprecedented run by three straight females to the Horse of the Year crown, with Rachel Alexandra taking the Fantasy (G2) in 2009 prior to winning the Preakness, Zenyatta winning the Apple Blossom twice in 2008 and 2010 for two of her 19 straight victories and Havre de Grace last year.