Falls City Handicap May be Next for Azeri

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Azeri is doing so well after her fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Lone Star Park she may come back for the $300,000 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 25, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Wednesday.

"She's sound and ready to go," said Lukas. "All we have to do is walk right out of our own barn for a 300-grander. We might as well take a shot at it."

Lukas said the 6-year-old Jade Hunter mare would return to the track on Wednesday. He said that he and Michael Paulson, who manages Azeri's career for the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, could then make a decision on whether to go in the 1 1/8-mile Falls City.

"If everything's good coming up to the race, we'd like to run her there," said Lukas. "That's what he's into, doing something that's good for the game. He wants to race. He's not into getting her to retire that quick."

Azeri's record stands at 17-4-0 in 24 races. Her earnings for her fifth-place showing in the Classic ($120,000) pushed her career total past the $4 million mark to $4,079,820. She is the first filly or mare to surpass $4 million in earnings.

For more information on the great Azeri, please check out the new book from Eclipse Press, Women of the Year

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