Huasca Facing Familiar Rivals in $150,000 Azalea Stakes

Huasca has been tabbed as the morning line favorite in the wide open field at odds of 3-1 for trainer Efren Loza, Jr. A gray daughter of Tiz Wonderful, she has been on the board in eight of her nine starts and will be trying to earn her first graded stakes victory. She notched her first black type win last time out in the Tangelo Handicap and will be aiming for her third victory of the year. Eddie Castro will be aboard and they will break from post position three.

Dogwood Trail aiming for first stakes victory

Second choice at 4-1 on the morning line is Dogwood Trail for trainer Stanley Gold. Bred and owned by Jacks or Better Farm, the chestnut daughter of Awesome of Course has two wins from five starts and will be trying for her first stakes win. She was second behind Huasca last time out in the Tangelo Handicap by one-length after setting the pace. Jesus Rios will remain aboard and they will break from post six.

Fond of Sarah a live longshot for Assimakopolous

Also in the field at odds of 10-1 on the morning line is Fond of Sarah. Bred, owned and trained by New England Hall of Famer Charlies Assimakopoulos, she has won three of her six starts and won back to back optional claiming races before finishing third in her stakes debut last time out. The bay daughter of With Distinction will have Tyler Gaffalione in the irons and they will break from post position seven.