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2011 Azeri (G3)

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Date/Track:

3/19/2011, Oaklawn Park

Post Time:

5:30 PM CT

Distance:

1 1/16 m (Dirt)

Age/Sex:

4+ F

Time:

1:42.02

*Rank is current Power Ranking among all active horses, based on highest HRN rating. Rating is based on HRN member voting.

Fin

Silks

Horse / Sire

Rating

Trainer / Jockey

Last Start / Next Start

1st

Havre de Grace
Saint Liam

8.21

J. Jones
R. Dominguez

1st, 2012 New Orleans Ladies (LS)

Aug 21 - Alabama Stakes (G1)

2nd

Blind Luck
Pollard's Vision

8.06

J. Hollendorfer
G. Gomez

7th, 2011 Lady's Secret (G1)

Oct 4 - Oak Leaf (G1)

3rd

Absinthe Minded
Quiet American

6.81

D. Lukas
C. Borel

5th, 2012 Gardenia (G3)

Mar 27 - Bourbonette Oaks (G3)

4th

Tidal Pool
Yankee Gentleman

7.03

D. Lukas
T. Thompson

5th, 2011 Gardenia (G3)

Jun 27 - Debutante (G3)

5th

Shotgun Gulch
Thunder Gulch

5.87

C. Trout
L. Quinonez

6th, 2011 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2)

Dec 26 - La Brea (G1)

6th

Kimber Lily
Sunday Break

K. Gorder
G. Saez

3rd, 2011 Redbud (LS)

Mar 19 - Azeri (G3)

7th

Spacy Tracy
Awesome Again

5.23

A. Dutrow
J. Rose

4th, 2011 Distaff Handicap (G2)

Nov 26 - Top Flight (G2)

What the Nation is saying about the 2011 Azeri (G3)...

Blind Luck-Havre de Grace – 2011's top racing rivalry

Horse racing needs rivalries. It attracts fans and media attention, which is always great for the sport. Two weeks ago on July 16, 2011, at Delaware Park, Blind Luck met up with Havre de Grace for the sixth time in their careers in what has become one of horse racing’s top rivalries. Here’s their st...Read More

Show All 14 Comments
BrianZipse · Great info here Rick, thank you! They are the best two horses in America right now, bar none. And the fact that their connections are willing to keep testing each other seems to be a lost and very welcome part of this game ... can't wait to see #7! · 665 days ago ·

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annmatt · As we all know, the "weight" game has been played both ways, with Blind Luck giving weight to HdG in the past.....we don't hear the bellyaching from BL's side...just the crybaby Dutrow. Sure hope his mouth doesn't overload his brain and they go to the Woodward and get their you-now-what's beat! That will leave them HAVING to meet BL somewhere in the Breeders Cup realm, either the Ladies' or the Classic, to have a shot at end of the year honors. Wouldn't it be ironic if they avoid BL now that it winds up biting them in the rear later. Why not let these two fillies race in the Personal Ensign, head to head, same weight, and then the final showdown in November? Would be great for racing, and both horses may wind up sharing HOY honors. Pigs eat, hogs get slaughtered, Mr. Dutrow! · 665 days ago ·

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annmatt · P.S. About the only thing I don't think you covered, Rick, is that Blind Luck has had an unbelievable campaign this past 15 months, traveling over 36,000 miles, has raced nearly 1 race a month over that time. She's durable, she's consistent, she has run at different distances including twice winning at the classic 10f, and on different surfaces, and her competition has been a virtual "who's who" of the top of the female ranks.....hard to find any fault with her, always finishing in the money in 22 starts. Her incredible accomplishments are unrivaled by male OR female. She already IS HOY in my book. · 665 days ago ·

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zatt · Larry Jones is the trainer of Havre De Grace. · 665 days ago ·

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RaTalk_Girl · I have always been in the corner of Blind Luck and I don't see that changing any time soon. I love Blind Luck! · 664 days ago ·

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annmatt · Mis-spoke with the HdG trainer...my mouth sometimes overloads MY brain! Both horses are so special...just hope their connections let them compete against each other...they are so great for the sport! · 664 days ago ·

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RickPorter · Why doesn't Blind Luck join Havre de Grace in The Woodward and if one of us beat the best boys, we will know who the best racehorse in the country is. · 664 days ago ·

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Zenyatta-Perfection Personified · I don't think they need to race against the boys to prove anything! They are racing against the co-best horse in the country whenever they meet. · 663 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · Welcome to Horse Racing Nation, Rick. Have you heard anything from NYRA on the proposed purse hike of the Personal Ensign? Do you believe that Grace is best at the 1 1/8 mile distance? Thanks! · 663 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · Why doesn't Havre De Grace step out of HER comfort zone for a change to challenge Blind Luck? It seems that Havre De Grace's connections have realized that they can't beat Blind Luck when she's at her best, even when it's at their home track and the pace benefits them. If Grace's connections want to win the Woodward they should pray Blind Luck shoots for the Pacific Classic instead. · 662 days ago ·

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dubby30 · I am not sure what Grace stepping of a so called comfort zone would prove. Hollendorfer recognizes that his horse runs best on dirt. That is the surface that she has shown her best on. Grace trains on dirt, never once i dont believe has she stepped foot on an AWS and so I guess experimenting with a new surface mid way through her 4 year old season again BL a horse that has trained primarily on dirt would prove that BL is most likely the superior horse on an AWS. What a strange concept. As of right now the head to head record w/l is 3-2. Let the rivalry continue on dirt, the fairest surface for both fillies. Let's hear a decision NYRA. · 662 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · Head to head, Blind Luck has beaten Havre De Grace 4 times! Grace has only beaten her twice and even then she either needed 10 lbs or benefitted for a sore footed Blind Luck. There's no question that Blind Luck is the superior racehorse. How many times does she have to beat Havre De Grace before you can admit it? · 662 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · How can you say 1 has had a stronger career than the other yet? The season is half finished and maybe one or the other continues to race next year? As of right now HDG and B.L are VERY close in form and I wouldnt be surprised if HDG turns the tables at least 1 more time. And this realistically it will only make the rivalry stronger. · 662 days ago ·

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footlick · They do seem evenly matched to me. Even though Blind Luck has come out on top more, not much really separates them. Blind Luck may be a little more impressive because she is not as tactical and it is always more difficult for the less tactical horse to win, but still there is not much difference between them as far as I'm concerned. · 661 days ago ·

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Racing's Rivalries: Delaware Handicap the Latest in a Long Line

Blind Luck vs. Havre De Grace #6 continues a wonderful tradition of rivalry in the sport of kings ...Read More

Show All 4 Comments
BrianZipse · I certainly hope the continuation of this article touches on the terrific rivalry waged between Free House and Silver Charm ;-) · 683 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Look forward to part 2! How about Secretariat and Sham? Didn't they just make a successful movie featuring that rivalry? · 683 days ago ·

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ChristineDix · Alysheba and Bet Twice? Sunday Silence and Easy Goer? Wow-you could go on all day! · 683 days ago ·

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cpsoren121 · Good call Melaina! It's nice to see a rivalry again! I know the media was trying with AK and Shackelford, but with the injuries and all... · 683 days ago ·

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Western Wars

Why is it that every time you have two horses from either coast that develop a rivalry, the fans on the West Coast go completely insane?Read More

Show All 18 Comments
AndyScoggin · One big difference is that Blind Luck has run in the East many times. She has taken on everyone at any track. She is both East and West, not like other controversial West coast runners. · 701 days ago ·

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zatt · Where does Noosa Beach fit into this discussion? ;-) · 701 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · I have still seen many of the blog commenters that are out west express slight anger, even though, I agree that she is both East and West. It is the indignity that many ppl who express the opinion that she may not be the best in the division. · 701 days ago ·

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TroyTaylor · Blind Luck and Havre De Grace are dead even (2 wins a piece between the two). The bottom line is: Havre De Grace doesn't fly all over the continental United States , like Blind Luck does. Blind Luck would smoke Havre De Grace out west in California. Blind Luck would be 4-0 against Havre De Grace if two of those races were out west. · 701 days ago ·

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Waya · Personally, I want to see all three meet up before the Breeders' Cup. Maybe Saratoga? · 701 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · Blind Luck was stronger last year, HDG has proven to have B.Ls number this year. Hopefully they race a few more times this year to get a better picture. · 700 days ago ·

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mrsmaryzinke · At 1 1/8 m. I'm going to choose Havre De Grace over Blind Luck every time, because I can tell time and HDG id faster; also I have two eyes to see that HDG wins more easily than Blind Luck. Why would HDG go west to race for less money on syn. tracks? Why should the two girls face each other at S.A. which may favor speed and not Blind Luck's come from behind style, and again lower purses than Eastern races. And about the 1 14m., didn't Blind Luck only beat HDG by a very small margin when they ran that distance last year? I like both girls, but to me, HDG is better this year. · 700 days ago ·

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mrsmaryzinke · sorry for my many typos; you can hopefully get the meaning. · 700 days ago ·

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mrsmaryzinke · Maybe the west-coast fans get "insane" apologizing for the synthetic tracks and lower purses, and small field size of many races. But, as an insane fan of CA racing, I do have my favorites out there. · 700 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · After seeing the Vanity, I think Blind Luck is now rounding into her best form. The races at Santa Anita are a complete toss, closers were at a great disadvantage on that track and she lost fair and square to Havre De Grace in Arkansas, but I believe blind Luck will improve off her Vanity win and will turn the tables later in the year, maybe in what could be a great Ladies Classic. · 700 days ago ·

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brooklyn.steve · You do realize that we live in a West Coast world correct? HRTV and TVG are based in Cali. They will show a bottom barrel maiden claimer from Hollywood before they show a stakes race from Monmouth Park. Heck, they will stay there 10 minutes before the race to go over the post parade in detail. That should answer your question right there. · 700 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Personally I believe Blind Luck is the same she always was. The races in Cali were not from fatigue, they were due to the track being so speed biased, and even with such a biased she ran well. At Oaklawn she fired her shot and missed. At Churchill she again fired, but did not have HDG and Switch at 8.5fl to deal with. She fired at Hollywood, over a surface more conductive to her style and a distance more to her liking than Switch. She is still the same BL, the other two have just improved. · 700 days ago ·

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4everZenyatta · Totally agreed brooklyn.steve. I get so annoyed when I'm watching HRTV and am patiently waiting for a stakes race from my home track, Monmouth, and they are obsessing over PPs of horses from a claiming at Hollywood or Santa Anita. I previously used to live on the west coats and racing fans there are kind of obsessed with themselves/their picks. It is actually quite annoying. · 698 days ago ·

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skipaway2000 · This post inspired me. Top 5 Examples of West Coast Domination in East Coast Races :) Check out The Infield: skipaway2000.wordpress.com · 696 days ago ·

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medlocke · I think this post is a total crock of sh-t!! I live on the east coast, and I think the west coast fan's go insane, because the east coast fan's always act as if their horse is invincible, and leaps and bounds better than the west coast horses. For a solid year, we heard about how Rachel Alexandra would be the first to beat Zenyatta. LOL. Never came to pass, because Jess Jackson dodged the meeting between the two at Oaklawn like the plague. IMO, Rachel, even at her best, would've never been able to hold off the closing onslaught that Zenyatta possessed. And in her 4yr.old season, a race between the two would've been laughable. I can't say that I blame west coast fan's, given that east coast fan's think that racing on conventional dirt is the have all, be all in racing. They also believe that if the horse doesn't have that east coast, blue blood pedigree, there's no way a west coast horse can compete? Which as I said in the beginning, is a total crock of sh-t!! I'm an east coast thoroughbred racing fan, and I approve this message!! LOL. · 696 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · I fail to see what geography has to do with the quality of any horse or why two excellent horses can't both be appreciated instead of having to choose one over the other.The other thing I find odd is that most of our great horses and sires were European or Canadian not eastern or western. · 696 days ago ·

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shadowno · @skipaway2000, loved the Sandpit video, he was a real badass, thanks. BTW did you consider Gentleman, Southern Image, Real Quiet and Farma Way tearing up Pimlico? · 696 days ago ·

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GooberNation · who cares.. just where the horse was born.. the genetics could be ANYWHERE in the world · 696 days ago ·

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Calling out the Pot

I know I will not be well liked for saying this, but you can ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you it is not about being liked for me, it’s about telling it straight. So here it goes, what the heck is with the West Coast double standard? Read More

Show All 7 Comments
dubby30 · Not only is Blind Luck sitting on 3 losses this year, one in which she was trounced by Havre De Grace in the Azeri by almost 4 effortless lengths, someone on a message board stated that Blind Luck should be in contention for Horse of the Year, laughable but thats what was said. Double Standard is pretty amazing if you asked me. · 698 days ago ·

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ckrisp · Agreed. I think that more was expected of RA due to her campaign of the previous year, whereas for BL it's not surprising for her to win or lose by a length, people were upset the RA wasn't the same horse. There was a lot of misdirected frustration and unwarranted comparative battles between RA and Zenyatta that got people riled up too. BL and Havre De Grace have a relatively friendly rivalry in comparison, and they've actually met! · 698 days ago ·

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TimSmith · I thought R.A was retired prematurely. Who knows maybe she was just rounding into form and may have had a great second half. · 697 days ago ·

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ruffian75 · Very well written, Laura. And, Tim, I think that the retirement was the owner's eager anticipation of mating her with their previous HOY, Curlin. She's in foal, and the due date is sometime in February. But, I, like you, would've loved to see her regain her old form. · 697 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · There is no question that there is a west coast bias toward some California horses, just like there is an East coast bias toward some eastern horses, it would be hard to read racing blogs and not see that. But I think the complaints about Rachels 2010 year is more than just a west coast double standard. The problem with Rachels record last year was that people were expecting so much more. I remember a blog on the Bloodhorse site where people were talking about where she should run during 2010, she was expected to win every race including the Whitney, Woodward, Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Arc, Breeders Cup Classic etc. I actually think she could have had a good year in 2010 if she hadn't been retired after the Personal Ensign, with a great shot at winning the Ladies Classic, but after her exceptional 3 year old year, even winning the Ladies Classic would have been a disappointment to a lot of people. · 697 days ago ·

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tiznow · Blind Luck is a true champion and it's only mid year. I am not counting her out of HOY discussion. Especially with the male divisions at this point in the year. · 697 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Tiznow, nobody said she was not a special filly, but saying she is in the running for HOTY? We have horses like Awesome Maria and HDG who are both unbeaten this year. Rail Trip, Tizway, Sidney's Candy, and Twirling Candy are all capable of leading the male division with wins in their next starts. That is the biased. Yes, most of the males i listed are west coast but the females are both on the east and are unbeaten and dominant against their own sex. If any female should be in the discussion it should be HDG and AM. Another point of biased, RA loses two races to previous stakes winners then wins her next two, yet I heard many people saying there was no way for her to get HOTY. What is the differnce? Why is BL a vailid candidate and RA was not? · 697 days ago ·

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Havre De Grace Sharp in Azeri Return

Havre De Grace, making her first start since the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic for her new conditioner Larry Jones, showed no signs of rust in an authoritative win over Blind Luck in Saturday's Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Absinthe Minded went straight to the front as expected and carved out splits...Read More

Show All 3 Comments
dubby30 · We are looking at the 2011 Eclipse award winning Top Filly & Mare. · 796 days ago ·

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zatt · We are finally back to agreeing with each other ;-) · 796 days ago ·

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dubby30 · The way it should be, lol · 796 days ago ·

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Blind Luck, Havre De Grace Renew Rivalry in Azeri

Blind Luck vs. Havre de Grace #5 ... Who do you like?Read More

Show All 4 Comments
Mary AliceKier · It will be an incredible race with all this tough filly talent and any one could surprise, but I'm hoping that Blind Luck will come through with her big racing heart and tenacity! · 799 days ago ·

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dubby30 · The trainer change, the jockey change, is all the difference and when Dominguez asks Gracie to go in the stretch its going to be game set and match each and every time they meet. Nothing against Dutrow but this filly struggled to get 9 strong furlongs. LJones will have this filly ready and willing to go 10f easy with that Saint Liam Pedigree as the stamina influence. Just wait until you see her on the track Saturday, she's a monster, and will win by daylight. · 799 days ago ·

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jpinkertoncook · Oaklawn is so deep Saturday, I've nearly forgotten we get to see these two matched up again. Love both of these fillies, but I think I'll go with Havre de Grace. · 798 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · Switch,Life at ten, Blind luck, Havre degrace,miss match lots of nice fillies!! · 798 days ago ·

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Big workouts have Larry Jones excited

You don't need stopwatches or tip sheets to tell how confident trainer Larry Jones feels after his stable stars worked earlier this week at Oaklawn Park. The important tool he was using Wednesday morning were hair clippers on his trusted pony Pal."We just got him back from his winter break and he ne...Read More

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Havre de Grace Works for Azeri Return

After some playful training runs this winter at Oaklawn Park, Havre de Grace is getting her mind on business for trainer Larry Jones, prompting him to solidify plans to launch her 2011 campaign in the $100,000 Azeri Stakes (gr. III) March 19. Fox Hill Farm’s 4-year-old daughter of Saint Liam worked ...Read More

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2011 Azeri (G3)

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2011 Azeri (G3)

What the Nation is saying about the 2011 Azeri (G3)...

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