Houston Ladies' Classic winner Lady Apple breezes for Azeri Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Lady Apple on Monday had her final breeze for Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri at Oaklawn. She could go favored in the 1 1/16-mile race that shares a card with the Rebel and the $350,000 Essex Handicap.

Lady Apple went a half-mile by herself in 51.40 seconds. She is coming off a win in the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 26 at Sam Houston. Lady Apple was a half-length winner and for the effort earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

Asmussen said Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount in the Azeri.

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Lady Apple has made three starts at Oaklawn and won them all, including the Grade 3 Fantasy last year at 3. The daughter of Curlin races for Phoenix Thoroughbred III and her breeder, KatieRich Farms.

Asmussen said Bankit, Laughing Fox, and Snapper Sinclair are being pointed to the Essex Handicap, and he is hoping for a split of the race. Earlier this meet, the Fifth Season, which caters to the same division, was split. Bankit ran second by a head in one division of the Fifth Season, and Snapper Sinclair was second by a neck in the other.

“We need to turn it around,” Asmussen said.

For the Essex, Bankit is weighted at 119, Snapper Sinclair at 117, and Laughing Fox at 116.