Mylady Curlin to seek fifth stakes win in Azeri

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mylady Curlin will be seeking to win the fifth stakes race of her career Saturday when she runs in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri at Oaklawn Park.

The Azeri will share a card with the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel and the $350,000 Essex Handicap. The three races will be run over 1 1/16 miles.

Mylady Curlin registered the biggest win of her career in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs. In her one start since, she finished fourth by a length in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 26 at Sam Houston. For the effort, Mylady Curlin earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

“She ran a winning race and ended up fourth,” said Brad Cox, who trains Mylady Curlin. “She’s a very, very hard-trying filly. Her form shows how consistent she is.

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“She’s got experience at Oaklawn, and that’s always valuable. We’re excited to see what she does.”

Mylady Curlin worked a bullet five-eighths in 59.80 seconds on Feb. 29 at Oaklawn as part of her preparation for the Azeri. Her rivals are expected to include the first three finishers from the Houston Ladies Classic – Lady Apple, Serengeti Empress, and Street Band.

Mylady Curlin won four stakes last year for her breeder and owner, Sather Family LLC. Her first three stakes wins came in consecutive starts – the Grade 3 Allaire du Pont Distaff in May at Pimlico, the Mari Hulman George Memorial in July at Indiana, and the Lady Jacqueline in August at Thistledown.

She later won the Falls City over Go Google Yourself, who one start later won the Grade 3 Bayakoa at Oaklawn. Go Google Yourself is now being pointed to the Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom on April 18 at Oaklawn, trainer Paul McGee said Friday.

Cox will be active in the other Oaklawn stakes Saturday. He said Wells Bayou remains on deck for the Rebel off his runner-up finish in last month’s Grade 3 Southwest Stakes, while Night Ops is still being pointed to the Essex off a recent allowance win at Oaklawn. Florent Geroux has the mount on Wells Bayou, and Joe Talamo will ride Night Ops.