OAKLAWN Terra Promessa looks too good

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Terra Promessa has been the controlling speed in her races this season at Oaklawn, and despite meeting some new faces in the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri on Saturday, she still looks like the one to catch as she attempts to push her local record to 6 for 6.

The Azeri, the local steppingstone to the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 14, is the first of three stakes on an 11-race program that includes the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel and the $250,000 Essex Handicap. The stakes will all be run over 1 1/16 miles, with the Azeri for fillies and mares. Seven will go in the Azeri, including Eskenformoney, the winner of the Grade 3 Rampart at Gulfstream Park, and Streamline, the runner-up in last year’s Apple Blossom.

AZERI STAKES (RACE 7) KEY CONTENDERS

Terra Promessa, by Curlin Last 3 Beyers: 97-95-70

◗ Oaklawn and Terra Promessa have been a perfect match since last year, when the filly won a first-level allowance, the Grade 3 Honeybee, and the Grade 3 Fantasy here. At this meet, she’s picked up where she left off, winning the $125,000 Pippin on Jan. 14 and the Grade 3 Bayakoa in her most recent start Feb. 18.

“She’s a very good filly,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Terra Promessa for breeder Stonestreet Stables. “I think both of her Oaklawn races this year have been pretty powerful performances, and obviously we’re hoping for another one.”

◗ Terra Promessa set the pace and increased her advantage through the stretch in the Bayakoa, winning by 4 3/4 lengths and putting up a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 97.

“It was her best race to date,” Asmussen said. “I do think that the Curlins – as good as they are – they seem to continue to get better with age, and she is a very good example of that.”

◗ Terra Promessa will break from post 2 under Irad Ortiz Jr. She is likely to be in front early, but if Tiger Moth, who is working sharply, or She Mabee Wild, coming off a front-running win, go for the lead, Terra Promessa seems adaptable. She won two stakes from off the pace last year at Oaklawn.

“It’s just getting in a comfortable stride,” said Asmussen. “She’s just got a nice, long stride.”

Eskenformoney, by Eskendereya Last 3 Beyers: 78-90-73

◗ She became a graded stakes winner when she stalked and pounced for a three-quarterlength victory in the Rampart, a one-turn mile, defeating Curlin’s Approval on Dec. 17. Curlin’s Approval came back to win two stakes at Gulfstream, the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie and the Grade 2 Royal Delta.

◗ Eskenformoney exits the Royal Delta, having finished third in the 1 1/16-mile race Feb. 18.

◗ Javier Castellano has the mount for trainer Todd Pletcher.