Azeri Stakes

Azeri Stakes
Grade II race
LocationOaklawn Park Race Track
Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States
Inaugurated1987 (as Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Websitewww.oaklawn.com
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, four-years-old & up
Weight124 lbs with allowances
Purse$400,000 (since 2024)

The Azeri Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older, over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt track held annually in March at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The event currently carries a purse of $400,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 3 April 1987 as the Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap with sponsorship for Budweiser and the Breeders' Cup.[1] The event was won by North Sider who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. and trained by US Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas in a time of 1:421⁄5.[2] North Sider later that year would capture US Champion Older Female Horse.

The event was upgraded to a Grade III event in 1990[1] but was downgraded back to Listed in 1995 for five runnings.

Budweiser continued sponsoring the event until 1995 while the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event until 2007 which reflected in the name of the event.

The event was renamed Azeri Stakes in 2005 to honor Azeri, the American Horse of the Year of 2002, and the American Champion Older Female Horse three years running: 2002, 2003, and 2004.[3]

This race was upgraded to a Grade II for its 2014 running.[4]

Several notable winners went on to become champions. The 2011 winner Havre de Grace would later defeat males in the GI Woodward Stakes and be crowned 2011 American Horse of the Year. The 2019 winner Midnight Bisou continued with her brilliant form to capture US Champion Older Female Horse honors.

Records

Speed record:

  • 1:42.01 – Sister Act (1999)

Margins:

  • 6+1⁄4 lengths – Serengeti Empress (2020)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Halo America (1995, 1997)
  • 2 – Heritage of Gold (2000, 2001)
  • 2 – Tiz Miz Sue (2012, 2013)

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 3 – Calvin Borel (1997, 1999, 2010)
  • 3 – Joseph Rocco Jr. (2012, 2013, 2016)

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Azeri Stakes
2024 Tiny Temper 4 James Graham Dallas Stewart Mark H. & Nancy W Stanley 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.26 $400,000 II [5]
2023 Secret Oath 4 Tyler Gaffalione D. Wayne Lukas Briland Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.26 $350,000 II [6]
2022 Ce Ce 6 Victor Espinoza Michael W. McCarthy Bo Hirsch 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.55 $350,000 II [7]
2021 Shedaresthedevil 4 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing Limited & Big Aut Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.57 $350,000 II [8]
2020 Serengeti Empress 4 Joseph Talamo Thomas M. Amoss Joel Politi 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.46 $350,000 II [9]
2019 Midnight Bisou 4 Mike E. Smith Steven M. Asmussen Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables & Allen Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.72 $343,000 II [10]
2018 Martini Glass 5 Paco Lopez Keith Nations Vince Campanella & Nation's Racing Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.95 $350,000 II [11]
2017 Streamline 5 Chris Landeros Brian Williamson Nancy A. Vanier & Cartwright Thoroughbreds V 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.67 $350,000 II [12]
2016 Call Pat 6 Joseph Rocco Jr. Brad H. Cox Miller Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.44 $350,000 II [13]
2015 Gold Medal Dancer 5 Luis S. Quinonez Donnie K. Von Hemel Pin Oak Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.92 $294,000 II [14]
2014 Close Hatches 4 Joel Rosario William I. Mott Juddmonte Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.34 $200,000 II [15]
2013 Tiz Miz Sue 6 Joseph Rocco Jr. Steve Hobby Cres Ran 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.26 $147,000 III [16]
2012 Tiz Miz Sue 5 Joseph Rocco Jr. Steve Hobby Cres Ran 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.58 $147,000 III [17]
2011 Havre de Grace 4 Ramon A. Dominguez J. Larry Jones Fox Hills Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.02 $150,000 III [18]
2010 Freedom Star 4 Calvin H. Borel Bob Baffert George Krikorian 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.09 $149,750 III [19]
2009 Acoma 4 Julien R. Leparoux David M. Carroll Helen Alexander & Helen K. Groves 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.55 $138,500 III [20]
2008 Hystericalady 5 Robby Albarado Jerry Hollendorfer Rancho San Miguel, Jerry Hollendorfer & George Todaro 1+1⁄16 miles, 1:43.86 $171,500 III [21]
2007 India 4 Christopher P. DeCarlo Todd A. Pletcher Lyon Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.37 $175,000 III [22]
2006 Round Pond 4 Stewart Elliott John C. Servis Fox Hill Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.93 $173,500 III [23]
2005 Injustice 4 Luis S. Quinonez Wayne M. Catalano Turf Express, Darrell & Evelyn Yates 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.40 $175,000 III [24]
Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes
2004 Golden Sonata 5 Carlos H. Marquez Jr. Morris G. Nicks James C. Spence 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.32 $200,000 III [25]
2003 Bien Nicole 5 Donald R. Pettinger Donnie K. Von Hemel John & Kristine Richter 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.19 $194,000 III [26]
2002 Ask Me No Secrets 4 Mike E. Smith David E. Hofmans Earl H. Shultz 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.56 $200,000 III [27]
2001 Heritage of Gold 6 Robby Albarado Thomas M. Amoss Jack Garey 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.20 $200,000 III [28]
2000 Heritage of Gold 5 Shane Sellers Thomas M. Amoss Jack Garey 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.15 $192,000 III [29]
1999 Sister Act 4 Calvin H. Borel Jeffrey N. Jacobs Choctaw Racing & Duncan Taylor 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.01 $120,000 Listed [30]
1998 Turn to the Queen 5 Timothy T. Doocy Kenny P. Smith Dr. K. K. Jayaraman & Dr. Vilasini D. Jayaraman. 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.76 $147,000 Listed [31]
Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Handicap
1997 § Halo America 7 Calvin H. Borel Bobby C. Barnett John A. Franks 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.18 $150,000 Listed [32]
1996 Belle of Cozzene 4 Donald R. Pettinger Steve Hobby John E. & Barbara R. Smicklas 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.32 $149,750 Listed [33]
1995 § Halo America 5 Weldon T. Cloninger Jr. Bobby C. Barnett John A. Franks 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.59 $148,500 Listed [34]
1994 § Morning Meadow 4 Shane P. Romero Bobby C. Barnett John A. Franks 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.60 $157,750 III [35]
1993 Guiza 6 Corey Nakatani Robert J. Frankel Robert Witt 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.79 $156,000 III [36]
1992 Cuddles 4 David Guillory D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.82 $157,500 III [37]
1991 A Wild Ride 4 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Zenya Yoshida 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.31 $157,950 III [38]
1990 A Penny Is a Penny 5 Aaron Gryder Steven L. Morguelan David L. Levitch 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.60 $158,900 III [39]
1989 Savannah's Honor 4 Jerry D. Bailey Richard J. Lundy Allen E. Paulson 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.00 $158,200 [40]
1988 Ms. Margi 4 Jerry D. Bailey Philip M. Hauswald Edward A. Cox Jr. 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.20 $158,150 [41]
1987 North Sider 5 Angel Cordero Jr. D. Wayne Lukas D. Wayne Lukas & Paul Paternostro 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.20 $133,120 [2]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

External sites

Oaklawn Park Media Guide 2021 Archived 2021-02-01 at the Wayback Machine

References

  1. ^ a b "Stakes profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "North Sider runs away with Budweiser Handicap – (race 9: held 3 April 1988)". Baxter Bulletin. The Associated Press. 4 April 1987. p. 8. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  3. ^ "AZERI STAKES - OAKLAWN PARK, AR". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  4. ^ LaMarra, Tom (6 December 2013). "Eight Stakes Elevated in Status for 2014". BloodHorse.com.
  5. ^ "2024 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. ^ "2023 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  7. ^ "2022 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. ^ "2021 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  9. ^ "2020 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  10. ^ "2019 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  11. ^ "2018 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  12. ^ "2017 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  13. ^ "2016 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  14. ^ "2015 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  15. ^ "2014 Azeri Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  16. ^ "2013 Azeri Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  17. ^ "2012 Azeri Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  18. ^ "2011 Azeri Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  19. ^ "2010 Azeri Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  20. ^ "2009 Azeri Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  21. ^ "2008 Azeri Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  22. ^ "2007 Azeri Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  23. ^ "2006 Azeri Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  24. ^ "2005 Azeri Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  25. ^ "2004 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 March 2004. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  26. ^ "2003 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 March 2003. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  27. ^ "2002 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 16 March 2002. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  28. ^ "2001 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 March 2001. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  29. ^ "2000 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 March 2000. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  30. ^ "1999 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 March 1999. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  31. ^ "1998 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 March 1998. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  32. ^ "1997 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 March 1997. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  33. ^ "1996 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 24 March 1996. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  34. ^ "1995 Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 April 1995. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  35. ^ "1994 Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 April 1994. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  36. ^ "1993 Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 April 1993. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  37. ^ "1992 Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 4 April 1992. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  38. ^ "1991 Oaklawn Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 April 1991. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  39. ^ "A Penny is a Penny wins at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 7 April 1990)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 8 April 1990. p. 43. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Savannah's Honor romps by 3 3/4 – (race 9: held 9 April 1989)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 9 April 1989. p. 52. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  41. ^ "Ms. Margi romps at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 9 April 1988)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 10 April 1988. p. 49. Retrieved 3 March 2021.