NOTEBOOK: AZERI RETURNS TO WIN THIRD CONSECUTIVE APPLE BLOSSOM.

Byline: Art Wilson Staff Writer

Proving that she hasn't lost a step during her six-month layoff, 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri returned to the races in dramatic fashion Saturday by winning the $500,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park for the third consecutive year.

Azeri missed last year's Breeders' Cup because of a minor tendon injury and was briefly retired before owner Michael Paulson decided to keep the 6-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter in training, switching from the Laura de Seroux barn to D. Wayne Lukas.

Just like in her powerful victory in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Distaff, regular rider Mike Smith took Azeri to the lead and went gate to wire, completing the 1-1/16 miles over a fast main track in an impressive 1:41-1/5.

``I thought going into the first turn that we were in good shape,'' Smith said. ``The only thing I didn't know was how fit she was. When we straightened in the stretch, she was just pricking her ears and I knew she had plenty left.''

Wild Spirit, the 3-2 favorite trained by Bobby Frankel, finished second, 1 1/2 lengths behind Azeri. Island Fashion, the third filly to finish second in the Santa Anita Handicap last month, went postward as the 9-5 second choice and wound up fourth - about 10 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

Azeri went off as the 2-1 third choice. ``I am not a bettor but when I saw that 2-1, if I had a runner you could have got all I had on me,'' Lukas said.

Frankel came back two races later and saddled Peace Rules, ridden by Jerry Bailey, for a two-length victory over Ole Faunty in the $500,000 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

--Illinois Derby: Pollard's Vision, trained by Todd Pletcher, threw his hat into the Kentucky Derby ring with a powerful 2 3/4-length gate-to- wire score in the $500,000 Grade II Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.

Ridden by Eibar Coa, Pollard's Vision went postward as the 3-2 betting choice and ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50-4/5 over a fast main track. The Kentucky-bred son of Carson City was coming off a third-place finish in last month's Louisiana Derby.

--Ashland Stakes: Madcap Escapade, the 3-5 favorite, went gate to wire to win the $500,000 Grade I Ashland Stakes at Keeneland by a half-length under jockey Rene Douglas.

Halfbridled, champion 2-year-old filly for 2003, was withdrawn from the race Friday by trainer Richard Mandella because of a minor injury. She is expected to be OK for the Kentucky Oaks on April 30.

--Excelsior BC: Funny Cide, ridden by regular jockey Jose Santos, scored his first stakes victory since winning last year's Preakness when he won the $200,000 Grade III Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap at Aqueduct as the 6-5 favorite.

--Also: Dynever, third to Pleasantly Perfect and Medaglia d'Oro in last fall's Breeders' Cup Classic, romped to a 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade III San Bernardino Handicap under jockey Corey Nakatani. Dynever, the 3-5 favorite, ran the 1 1/8 miles on the main track in 1:48. Total Impact finished second. ... David Flores rallied in the stretch aboard the Frankel-trained Diplomatic Bag to win the Grade II Arcadia Handicap by three quarters of a length over Statement. Diplomatic Bag ran the 1 1/8 miles on the turf in 1:47-4/5 and returned $10.20, giving Frankel his fourth win in the stake. ... Victor Espinoza won four races Saturday, including both ends of the daily double, and increased his lead over Alex Solis in the rider standings to eight, 76-68. Both Flores and Nakatani won twice.

Art Wilson, [phone]

art.wilson(at)sgvn.com