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Associated Press 20y

Azeri upset in Humana Distaff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mayo on the Side edged 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri and jockey Jerry Bailey earned a Grade I victory in stakes that preceded Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Azeri, a 6-year-old filly with more than $3 million in career earnings, lost by a head to Mayo on the Side in the four-horse Grade I, $272,813 Humana Distaff.

It was only the third loss in 18 starts for Azeri and her first since she was turned over to trainer D. Wayne Lukas by owner Michael Paulson.

Mayo on the Side, with Pat Day aboard, paid $13 and $3.20. The 5-year-old daughter of French Deputy earned $174,375 for owners Lothenbach Stables, covering the seven furlongs in 1:22.78 with Pat Day aboard.

"My filly broke extremely sharply, jumped into the race and was comfortable at all times," Day said.

Azeri jockey Mike Smith said his horse was bumped twice by Randaroo and jockey John Velazquez.

"Still, coming into the stretch, I thought I was going to win," Smith said.

Bailey, who lost his Derby mount when Wimbledon was scratched, guided Stroll to a 2 1/2 -length win over Sweet Return in the $453,900 Woodford Reserve Turf Handicap.

The 1 1/8-mile race went off just after a rainstorm soaked the track.

"When the turf is soft like it was, it's hard to make up ground," Bailey said. "He handled the going well and finished up strong."

Stroll, a Bill Mott-trained son of Pulpit, won for the sixth time in seven starts and paid $11.60, $6 and $4.60. The colt covered the 1 1/8 miles on yielding turf in 1:53.

"We needed this," Mott said. "It's been too long since we won a race like this."

Speightstown, Lunarpal, Shaconage won the other early stakes.

Speightstown never trailed in a 3 1/2 -length win over McCann's Mojave in the seven-furlong Grade II Churchill Downs Handicap for 4-year-olds and up. The 6-year-old son of Gone West paid $12.80, $5.60 and $3.60, earning $137,516 for owners Eugene and Laura Melnyk. The time was 1:21.38.

Florida-bred Lunarpal, with Shane Sellers riding, overtook Classic Elegance in the stretch and held off Goes to win the Three Chimneys Juvenile for 2-year-olds.

Trainer Steve Asmussen gave Sellers a choice between stablemates Lunarpal and Goes. Sellers rode both horses to their maiden victories.

"They were both awesome races. It was a tough decision," Sellers said.

Lunarpal, a son of Successful Appeal, paid $4.60, $3.40 and $2.40 as the even-money favorite in the five-furlong sprint. The winning time was 57.98 seconds.

Shaconage, a 19-1 shot, beat 7-10 favorite Etoile Montante by a nose to win the $113,300, Grade III Argent Mortgage Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-years old and up.

The Mitch Shirota-trained gray and roan filly paid $40.60, $11 and $7 and earned $70,246 for owner Andrena Van Doren.

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