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Azeri Returns From "Retirement" for Victory
Azeri at Hollywood Park ©2003 Patty Yount
By Amelia Baldree

 Azeri won the hearts of millions when she became the first female Horse of the Year in 2002 since Lady's Secret in 1986 and just the sixth filly to win since voting began for the award in 1936. After the Eclipse win, she experienced another successful year in 2003 under trainer Laura de Seroux. However, the racing world was shocked when on October 20, 2003, just five days shy of the Breeder's Cup, Laura de Seroux announced that Azeri would not make a return run in the Breeder's Cup Distaff. It was announced that the 5-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter would retire due to a tendon injury with earnings of $3,044,820.

December, 2003, reports began to come through that she was back in training under Lukas, though nothing was officially confirmed until December 27 that she would return in 2004. Despite energetic works and winning the 2003 Eclipse for Older Female of the Year, some people still expressed doubts as to whether or not the 6-year-old could return. Azeri became one of 12 fillies nominated to Oaklawn Park's Apple Blossom, including Island Fashion, a game second-place finisher against males in the March 6 Santa Anita Handicap.

Azeri did not disappoint. Although not the favorite (Wild Spirit went off at 3-2), Azeri set fractions of :23, :46 3/5 and 1:10 4/5, covering the 1 1/16-mile race in an outstanding time of 1:41 1/5 to win by 1 1/2 lengths. She earned $300,000 for owner Michael Paulson, increasing her career total to $3,344,820.

She's back.

Peace Rules Wins Brisk Oaklawn Handicap


Peace Rules at Santa Anita ©2003 Amanda Saunders

 By Amelia Baldree

Peace Rules vs. Saint Liam was what everyone was expecting in Saturday's Oaklawn Handicap. Everyone expected a rematch of the 4-year-old sons of Jules and Saint Ballado, respectively, after the two were head and head in February 29's Fair Grounds Handicap and Peace Rules coming through to win. With Peace Rules on the outside and Saint Liam on the inside, the pair set brisk fractions of :22 1/5, :45 2/5 and 1:09 3/5 into the far turn with the rest of the six-horse field about 10 lengths behind. Saint Liam having led most of the way, Peace Rules finally took the victory with Ole Faunty coming in to place. The Bobby Frankel/Edmund Gann chestnut paid $3.60, $3.00, and $2.20; Elliott Walden's Ole Faunty paid $5.20 and $2.80 and Saint Liam's show was $2.40. The rest of the field was Sonic West, Sir Cherokee and Private Emblem.