The highly anticipated match up between Grade 1 winners ROUND POND (Awesome
Again) and HAPPY TICKET (Anet) will occur in Saturday’s $175,000 Azeri
Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Round Pond began her career at Oaklawn Park last year, breaking her maiden in
her second start before capturing the Honeybee S. and Fantasy S. (G2) for
trainer John Servis. She defeated subsequent three-year-old champion Smuggler (Unbridled) in
the Acorn S. (G1) at Belmont Park, then finished a disappointing second in the
Delaware Oaks (G2) over a sloppy track in what turned out to be her final start
of the season. Round Pond returned to action with a handy, 2 1/4-length victory
going six furlongs at Oaklawn Park on February 16, and will break from the
rail beneath regular rider Stewart Elliott.
Happy Ticket won her first nine starts before finishing a troubled second in
last year’s Princess Rooney H. (G2) at Calder. In her next start, the bay
crushed subsequent Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) heroine Pleasant Home by 5 1/2
lengths in the seven-furlong Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga. The pride of Louisiana
then finished a close second to champion Ashado in the prestigious nine-furlong
Beldame S. (G1) at Belmont Park.
On the morning of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, trainer Andrew Leggio Jr. said
Happy Ticket banged her head against the stall wall and chipped a tooth. Then in the
race itself, she suffered an entrapped epiglottis, making her unable to breathe
properly. After making a strong middle move, Happy Ticket faded to 11th, beaten
more than 30 lengths.
In her seasonal debut, Happy Ticket coasted home by 5 1/2 lengths as the 1-20
favorite in the Louisiana Premier Night Distaff S. at Evangeline Downs on
February 18 under Robby Albarado, who will ride her back in the Azeri. Happy
Ticket will break alongside Round Pond in Post 2.
“Happy Ticket is better than ever,” Leggio said. “I’ve read and heard a lot
about Round Pond, and I’m sure she’s all quality, but I wouldn’t trade places
with anyone.”
Grade 2 winner LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]), who will make her final career start
in the Azeri before going to the breeding shed, will line up next under Terry
Thompson, and will be followed by DADDY’S PETUNIA (Run Softly), Calvin Borel;
TOOK OUT (Barkerville), Donnie Meche; and PLATINUM BALLET (Skip Away), Clifton
Berry.