Martini Glass Classy In G2 Azeri

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Vince Campanella and Nation’s Racing Stable’s Martini Glass scored her second straight graded stakes victory while showing off her class in Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Breaking from post 7 under Paco Lopez, Martini Glass stalked Farrell‘s early lead through :23.15, :46.92, and 1:11.23. Making her bid at the 1/4-pole, Martini Glass hit the top of the stretch with the lead and drew off late to win by 3 lengths in a final time of 1:42.95 for the 8 1/2-furlong event.

“The first thing is I loved my position today on the outside,” Lopez said. “Her domination was great, the trainer did so great. I put on the rein during the first turn and I had perfect position. I didn’t have trouble or anything. She is a really nice horse.”

Actress put in a late bid after riding wide much of the race, but she wasn’t able to close on the winner and settled for second, a 1/2-length ahead of a fading Farrell. Tiger Moth took fourth, with Terra Promessa, Sandy’s Surprise, Blue Prize, and Streamline completing the order of finish.

Martini Glass improved her record to 23-10-5-2 with career earnings of $863,675 for owner/trainer Keith Nations, who claimed her for $16,000 in 2017. The 5-year-old daughter of Kitalpha won her first career graded event last out in the Grade 3 Royal Delta Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

“She loves to run,” Nations said. “She loves to train. She does everything with a lot of enthusiasm. I can just tell she’s getting better.”

Martini Glass returned $8.80 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.80 to show. Actress brought back $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show, while Farrell paid $5.40 to show.

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