Unbridled Mo pointed for Azeri

Unbridled Mo has won some of her biggest races on the road and the plan is for the Houston Ladies Classic winner to travel for her next start, trainer Todd Pletcher said Tuesday. The filly based in South Florida is a candidate for the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri on March 18 at Oaklawn.

Unbridled Mo won the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic over I’m a Chatterbox in her most recent start Jan. 29 at Sam Houston. Last year, she invaded Oklahoma and won the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks. Unbridled Mo earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 93 for her win last month in Texas.

“Right now the plan is to go to the Azeri,” Pletcher said. “We just feel like the timing is good for her, giving her a little space in between races. It’s an attractive purse and she seems to travel well.”

Unbridled Mo is a daughter of Uncle Mo who races for her breeder, Red Oak Stable. She has won five of seven starts and $466,180.

Terra Promessa, winner of the Grade 3, $150,000 Bayakoa on Saturday at Oaklawn, is a candidate for the Azeri, trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday.

The Azeri will share a card with the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel for 3-year-olds and the $250,000 Essex Handicap, and Pletcher could also have starters in those races. He said Tuesday that Madefromlucky is being pointed for the Essex. The multiple Grade 2 winner last raced Jan. 28 and was third in the $400,000 Poseidon Handicap at Gulfstream. Madefromlucky has made two starts at Oaklawn, running second in the Rebel and fourth in the Arkansas Derby, races that were both won by eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Pletcher said Malagacy will be considered for a start in the Rebel.

“He’s 2 for 2 at Gulfstream,” Pletcher said. “He’s sprinted so far. We’re considering stretching him out [next] and kind of like the timing for the Rebel. So, that’s a possibility.”

Malagacy is a son of Shackleford who races for Sumaya U.S. Stable. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96 for an optional $75,000 claiming win on Feb. 12, and before that was a 15-length debut winner Jan. 4.

Pletcher on Monday at Oaklawn sent out One Liner to win the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest Stakes.