Tiger Moth points to Azeri Stakes

NEW ORLEANS – Tiger Moth, who won the Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 28 with a career-best performance, will make her next start March 17 in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn with an eye toward the Grade 1 Apple Blossom there, trainer Brad Cox said.

Retirement had been considered for the 6-year-old Tiger Moth.

“She’s not been bred, and we’re pointing toward the Azeri,” he said.

Tom’s d’Etat back to work

Tom’s d’Etat, who sustained a chipped ankle the week before he was to start in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes last August at Saratoga, posted his first published work of the year Friday at Fair Grounds, going three furlongs in 38 seconds.

“He had a couple down-the-lane pipe openers before this,” said Al Stall, who trains Tom’s d’Etat for Gayle Benson’s GMB Racing. “I’m in no rush with him. We’re looking at a spring start in Kentucky. He looks good. He’s fully mature now. He’s just turned into a man.”

Tom’s d’Etat has gone through multiple layoffs and never has raced in a stakes, but he got a 106 Beyer Speed Figure for an impressive July 27 Saratoga allowance win, which had earned him a spot in the Woodard before his setback.

◗ Three open first-level allowance races highlight the Fair Grounds program Sunday. Race 2 is a turf sprint for 3-year-olds that figures to have Drena’s Star as a favorite even if the race is rained onto dirt. Race 7 is carded at one mile and 70 yards on dirt for 3-year-old fillies and has Go Google Yourself and Saguaro Row (who has been scratched several times already this meet) as the prime players. Race 8 is a turf mile for older horses that drew a wildly competitive, full field.