Azeri to Challenge Males for First Time

Owner Michael Paulson has been wanting to try Azeri, the 2002 horse of the year, against males for quite some time.

He’ll finally get his wish this afternoon at Belmont Park.

The 6-year-old Jade Hunter mare is the only female in a field of nine in the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap, a Grade I at one mile.

A winner of 15 of 18 against her own sex, Azeri, who will be ridden for the first time by Pat Day, will be hard-pressed to beat a field that includes Pico Central, the winner of San Carlos and Carter Handicaps in his last pair for trainer Paulo Lobo, Carter runner-up Strong Hope and 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.

Successful in four of eight starts in his native Brazil, Pico Central hasn’t lost since coming to this country for owner Gary Tanaka.

After earning his first win at 37-1 via the disqualification of Ride And Shine, the 5-year-old Spend A Buck horse won the San Carlos at 43-1.

He then set a wicked pace to prevail in the Carter in his first race in New York on April 10. Alex Solis will again ride Pico Central.

The Metropolitan will mark the first start at Belmont for Funny Cide since he finished third in the Belmont Stakes last June 7.

The 4-year-old Distorted Humor gelding has won three of four over this surface.

Race of the day: The fifth at Hollywood Park today brings together a full field of maidens, but, more significant, is the first leg of a pick six with a guaranteed pool of $1 million, and there is a carry-over going in of $187,481.

Johnny Red Kerr, Montana Deputy, Wholly John, Minister Blair and T.H. Approval are among the contenders in a wide-open race at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

One for the road: Fancatstik is much improved of late for trainer Michael Gorham and can win his second in a row in today’s eighth, a $43,000 allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs, at Belmont.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Singletary, King Of Happiness and Sweet Return in the seventh, Kid Royal in the eighth, Buddy Gil, Smile N Wildcat and Taste Of Paradise in the ninth and Farnham, King’s Charmer, Wild Austrian and Lover Come Back in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/65. Money: Previous day/meet total: $27.40/$358. Total money bet: $514.