Azar Attempts Graded Stakes Double

Alto Racing’s Azar (Scat Daddy) seeks a second-straight graded stakes score Saturday in Belmont’s GIII Pilgrim S. Seventh sprinting here July 19, the dark bay was runner-up to stablemate and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Unbridled Daddy (Scat Daddy) when stretched out in a Saratoga special weight Aug. 16. He turned the tables on that runner–who was third–when breaking his maiden the hard way in the Spa’s GII With Anticipation S. Sept. 2 over fellow maiden Next Shares (Archarcharch). “He came out of [the With Anticipation] well and has been in good form since,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “I thought it was a big effort for a maiden to win a stakes. He seems to have improved with each start, so I hope he continues on that pattern.”

Next Shares was a debut second for Skychai Racing, Sand Dollar Stable and Jeffrey Post and trainer William Cowans in his Ellis unveiling Aug. 1 before being picked up privately by Brous Stable, Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable. He’ll make his first start for Bill Mott here.

Chad Brown won back-to-back renewals of this race in 2012 and 2013, and has two chances for a third victory. Shadwell’s Eidmilaad (Malibu Moon), a half to GISW Rutherienne (Pulpit) and GSW Ruthenia (Pulpit), was a convincing debut graduate at the Spa Aug. 30 over fellow Pletcher-trained Dissident (Medaglia d’Oro). He adds Lasix this time around. Ray’s The Bar (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) scored first up for trainer Michael Bell and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Jenner at Ascot July 11 before being acquired privately by Head of Plains Partners, Vintage Thoroughbreds, et al. Working steadily at Belmont since the end of August, he is also receiving first-time Lasix.

Forever in Love (Scat Daddy) rolled to an 8 1/4-length drubbing of state-breds at Saratoga Aug. 28, while Highland Sky (Sky Mesa) and Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}) both graduated upstate last out against open company going this distance.