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In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors.
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Azeri shoots for 10th straight victory in Vanity Handicap
Friday June 20, 2003
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) Azeri attempts to run her winning
streak to 10 when the Horse of the Year takes on six challengers in
Saturday's Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.
Azeri, with regular rider Mike Smith, was assigned highweight of
127 pounds for the 1 1-8-mile race nine pounds more than 5-1
second choice Bare Necessities. Azeri, trained by Laura de Seroux,
was the early 1-5 favorite.
The 5-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter won the Vanity last year,
beating Affluent by three lengths.
Azeri has won 12 of 13 lifetime starts and earned $2,654,820 for
owner Michael Paulson. Her only loss was a second-place finish in
the La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita 16 months ago.
Azeri clinched Horse of the Year honors by winning the Breeders'
Cup Distaff by five lengths at Arlington Park last October. In two
starts this year, Azeri won the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on
April 5 and the Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park on
May 24.
Bare Necessities, to be ridden for the first time by Alex Solis,
has won her last three races, most recently the Sixty Sails
Handicap at Hawthorne Park in Chicago on April 26. The 4-year-old
daughter of Silver Deputy has won six of 14 lifetime starts and
earned $565,281.
Bare Necessities will run coupled in the wagering with American
Czarina, who will be ridden by Victor Espinoza. Others entered are
Keys To The Heart, Tropical Blossom, Sister Girl Blues and Meguial.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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