Columnist Ralph Siraco: Azeri continues to amaze racing world

Ralph Siraco

Monday, Aug. 11, 2003 | 10:19 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

On Sunday, "Where The Turf Meets The Surf" at old Del Mar transformed to "Where The Champions Meet to Celebrate" at Southern California's racing spa.

While Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide and Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker regrouped from post-Triple Crown losses, and, Medaglia d'Oro and Mine Shaft continued on their collision course in the fall classics, it was an appropriate time to get reacquainted with the overshadowed reigning Horse Of The Year.

So, on a warm sunny day at the beach, two champions got together to celebrate. One a milestone birthday, the other to avenge a milestone date of destiny.

Azeri and jockey Mike Smith took center stage with another flawless performance of greatness and grace.

The $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap was the vehicle for them to show their stuff to the racing world -- again. The 1 1/16th-mile journey became another tour of torture for their rivals and the Del Mar track became another stop on a journey of perfection for a team that hopes to make racing history soon.

Azeri repelled several challenges from an overmatched and awestruck field of would-be upsetters. "She's amazing," Smith said. "She was on it today, just like she was for the Breeders' Cup."

Alex Solis, who rode runner-up Got Koko, had a different take on the victory. "By the time we reached the half-mile pole," Solis said. "I knew the damage was already done."

Recently inducted into racing's Hall of Fame, Smith celebrated his 38th birthday by taking another ride of a lifetime as he continued his oddesy as Azeri's passenger. It might have been the the anniversary of the end of Cigar's consecutive-victories streak, but it will take more than just a date on a calendar to beat Azeri and the elusive record her owner's equine predecessor could not reach.

Azeri hasn't lost since Feb. 9, 2002. It was her only loss in 15 lifetime starts. Nineteen months later she has pushed a remarkable win streak to 11. Along the way, she has amassed victories in eight Grade I races, and with Sunday's second consecutive Hirsch victory racked up three Grade IIs, to bank earnings of $2,984,020. So far, the streak highlight was a resounding victory in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff that nailed down the 2002 Horse Of The Year.

Her connections have resisted the temptation of running their exceptional mare against the boys. Prompted by many inquires to face males, trainer Laura De Seroux is keeping to the game plan. A game plan that does not include raiding the fraternity house. "The most important thing right now is the earnings record, and obviously the streak goes along with it," she said.

The streak, of course, is the 16-consecutive win plateau that Citation, Hallowed Dreams, Mr. Frisky and Cigar reached. Only those four managed a streak that long dating back to 1900. Cigar, who was owned by Allen Paulson, lost his attempt at 17 in Del Mar's 1996 Pacific Classic, exactly to the date of Sunday's Hirsch. Azeri is owned by Paulson's Living Trust and administered by his son Michael.

The earnings record is within sight. Azeri could surpass Japan's Seeking the Pearl's all-time earnings of $4,021,716, and Spain -- the highest-earning American distaffer -- at $3,540,542, by the end of the year if she stays on the same schedule that brought her the title last year. A win in the Lady's Secret at Santa Anita in early October as well as a repeat victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, also at Santa Anita, on Oct. 25, would put her over the top. And, keep her in contention for another Horse Of The Year honor.

That would also push her streak to 13, just four shy of a record. Although the all-time female earnings record would be achieved, the 16-race streak that Cigar could not break would still be a goal for the Paulson brain trust. A streak much closer to reality at year's end. But, what if a second Horse Of The Year title was just a victory "against the boys" away?

Risking the win-streak going for another gold trophy?

There is a photograph that sits on the wall of trainer Laura De Seroux's office. It is a picture of Azeri's rear end. The caption under the photo reads, "All you're gonna see in 2003!" So far it is more profound than profane. What remains to be seen is if it's prophetic.