Azeri gains Milady win

Azeri turned in an impressive performance to take Saturday’s Grade One Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park.

The five-year-old mare notched up her ninth consecutive graded stakes win by three lengths from the fast-finishing Enjoy with Tropical Blossom a further three lengths back in third.

“I knew they were coming after her today, I just didn’t know who,” winning jockey Mike Smith told www.bloodhorse.com. “I stayed away from the rail and gave her room to go.”

Azeri’s trainer Laura De Seroux added that she does not plan to run her charge against males in the near future.

“There’s nothing to prove as far as I’m concerned,” de Seroux said.

“There’s a good schedule here (in Southern California),” she said. “The Breeders’ Cup is here (Santa Anita).

“You don’t take your game out of town when you are the champion. You make them come to you.”