Azeri Tops Apple Blossom Nominees

Fourteen fillies and mares are nominated for the April 5 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park. Topping the list is Azeri, 2002 Horse of the Year. She has not raced since winning the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) last October.

A larger group of 19 horses are nominated to the grade II Oaklawn Handicap. Among them are grade I winners Medaglia d'Oro and Congaree. If the two travel to Hot Springs for the April 5 race, they will battle for a $500,000 purse.

These two races open the track's Racing Festival of the South, which also includes the grade III Fifth Season Stakes and the Bayakoa Stakes.

Click here for lists of the horses eligible for all four of these races.