How to bet with, and against, Shedaresthedevil in the Azeri Stakes

An excellent field of fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Oaklawn Park surface in Saturday’s $350,000 Azeri S. (G2). The morning-line choice is multiple Grade 1 heroine #7 Shedaresthedevil (5-2), who will make her first appearance since commanding a $5 million bid at Fasig-Tipton in November. Still in the hands of conditioner Brad Cox, the five-year-old has trained well in preparation for her 2022 debut in hopes of defending her title.

The Daredevil mare bagged four graded stakes races last campaign, which concluded when she came home sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar. Speedy lass has compiled a fine 4-2-1-1 mark at Oaklawn in her career, and she is training well in advance of Saturday, as well. Florent Geroux will guide the classy horse to beat.

#5 Ce Ce (3-1), a Grade 1 victress from her lone prior try at Oaklawn, is the obvious second choice in the line-up. Trained by Mike McCarthy, the champion female sprinter was a productive runner-up in the Santa Monica S. (G2) at seven furlongs in her seasonal bow and will improve second time back off the shelf.

The reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) romper zipped a bullet five-eighths in her most recent morning move, and the Elusive Quality chestnut seems poised to give a fine account of herself against this cast with regular pilot Victor Espinoza coming in for the ride.

Donnie Von Hemel’s #1 She’s All Wolfe (12-1) rates as an exotics contender at a price from the rail. The Magna Graduate mare earned a lifetime-best Brisnet Speed figure when runner-up in the recent Bayakoa S. (G3) on the oval, which marked the first time that she ever hit the board at Oaklawn Park. Capable late runner will have a solid pace to rally into while saving ground throughout, and she will add value to the vertical gimmicks, too. Francisco Arrieta has the assignment.

Shedaresthedevil – With

• $30 trifecta 7 with 5 with 1 ($30)

Shedaresthedevil – Against

• $20 trifecta 5 with 7 with 1 ($20)
• $2 trifecta 5 with 1 with all ($12)