GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- Azeri will try to beat the boys again, this time in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas made the surprise announcement Tuesday, declaring 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri "all in" for the 1¼-mile Classic on Saturday.
"We're in Texas and this is Texas hold 'em," Lukas said. "We're all in. We're going to the Classic."
Azeri was pre-entered in the BC Distaff and the BC Classic last week, and it was thought Lukas was leaning toward running the 6-year-old mare in the Distaff, which she won in 2002 but missed last year with an injury.
After a week of talks with owner Michael Paulson, though, the decision was made to give it another try against males in what will likely be the final race of Azeri's sensational career.
"She's very good right now," Lukas said. "We're going to swing for the fences. She's already won the Distaff. We're going to see if we can do something that hasn't been done before."
Azeri, who won the Spinster Stakes by three lengths at Keeneland in her last start, ran against males for the first time at Belmont Park on May 31, finishing eighth in the Metropolitan Mile.
Nonetheless, Lukas has never been reluctant to send out females against males, especially in the biggest races. The Classic is the richest race in North America.
"I'm very excited to lead her over there for $4 million," Lukas said. "I don't care who else shows up."
Post position draw for the eight Breeders' Cup races is Wednesday, with the Classic field shaping up as perhaps the toughest ever.
Defending champion Pleasantly Perfect is the likely favorite against such stars as Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, Whitney winner Rose in May, Woodward winner Ghostzapper, and 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.
The Breeders' Cup began in 1984, and Azeri would be just the third female to run in the Classic -- Triptych was sixth in 1986, and Jolypha was third in 1992.
Lukas took over as Azeri's trainer this year after Paulson fired Laura de Seroux.
Azeri has won 17 of 23 starts for earnings of $3,959,820.
AP NEWS
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas made the surprise announcement Tuesday, declaring 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri "all in" for the 1¼-mile Classic on Saturday.
"We're in Texas and this is Texas hold 'em," Lukas said. "We're all in. We're going to the Classic."
Azeri was pre-entered in the BC Distaff and the BC Classic last week, and it was thought Lukas was leaning toward running the 6-year-old mare in the Distaff, which she won in 2002 but missed last year with an injury.
After a week of talks with owner Michael Paulson, though, the decision was made to give it another try against males in what will likely be the final race of Azeri's sensational career.
"She's very good right now," Lukas said. "We're going to swing for the fences. She's already won the Distaff. We're going to see if we can do something that hasn't been done before."
Azeri, who won the Spinster Stakes by three lengths at Keeneland in her last start, ran against males for the first time at Belmont Park on May 31, finishing eighth in the Metropolitan Mile.
Nonetheless, Lukas has never been reluctant to send out females against males, especially in the biggest races. The Classic is the richest race in North America.
"I'm very excited to lead her over there for $4 million," Lukas said. "I don't care who else shows up."
Post position draw for the eight Breeders' Cup races is Wednesday, with the Classic field shaping up as perhaps the toughest ever.
Defending champion Pleasantly Perfect is the likely favorite against such stars as Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, Whitney winner Rose in May, Woodward winner Ghostzapper, and 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.
The Breeders' Cup began in 1984, and Azeri would be just the third female to run in the Classic -- Triptych was sixth in 1986, and Jolypha was third in 1992.
Lukas took over as Azeri's trainer this year after Paulson fired Laura de Seroux.
Azeri has won 17 of 23 starts for earnings of $3,959,820.
AP NEWS
