Azeri could draw additional entrants if Santa Anita stays dark

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The champion Shamrock Rose and Grade 1 winners Midnight Bisou and Eskimo Kisses have been ticketed for the Azeri, but their list of rivals could grow depending on what develops at Santa Anita.

One new face under consideration for the 1 1/16-mile race is Secret Spice. She won a Santa Anita allowance at a mile by more than 11 lengths in October, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 106. She’s been prepping for the Grade 1 Beholder Mile, which is scheduled to run March 16 at Santa Anita.

“Our plan was to run in the Beholder and at this point we just don’t know if there will be racing, or if the Beholder will be run, and we have discussed coming to Oaklawn for the Azeri as a viable option,” Billy Koch, founder and managing partner of Little Red Feather Racing, said Friday.

“Obviously, we always prefer to stay home if we can. We’re in support of Santa Anita and in what they’re trying to do, but at the same time our filly is ready to run and the Azeri is obviously a viable option.”

Santa Anita officials hinted that racing would not return until March 21.

Koch said if Secret Spice goes, she would be ridden by Flavien Prat, who is scheduled to be at Oaklawn on Saturday for the Rebel.

The Azeri also has a chance to draw Heavenhasmynikki, who was third to Midnight Bisou last out when beaten a length in the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston. She, too, has been prepping at Santa Anita for the Beholder Mile, in large part because the two-turn mile trip suits her best, owner Ron Paolucci said.

“I think everybody’s in the same boat as I am,” Paolucci said Friday. “If they’re not going to readjust these stakes, if they don’t give us another date, we’ve got to get on a plane and head to Oaklawn or Gulfstream.”

Paolucci said it would either be the Azeri for Heavenhasmynikki or the Grade 2, $200,000 Inside Information at seven furlongs the same day at Gulfstream.

Paolucci said Dalmore and Imperative remain on deck for the Essex Handicap.