Havre de Grace headed to Oaklawn Park

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace will start her 2012 racing season at Oaklawn Park in the Azeri on March 17. The champion mare won the 1 1/16-mile stakes last year to begin her four-year- old campaign.

"Larry (trainer Larry Jones) and I have mapped out some possible races for the next few months for Havre de Grace and Joyful Victory. We decided that the best choice for Havre de Grace's first race of the year is The Azeri at Oaklawn on March 17th," owner Rick Porter announced on his farm's website. "Joyful Victory will run at The Fair grounds in The New Orleans Ladies Stake on the same day. We felt these are the best opportunities for our two fillies. Ramon Dominquez will come in to ride Havre de Grace and Robbie Albarado will be aboard Joyful Victory. This will be a big day for Fox Hill."

Harve de Grace has been stabled this winter at the Fair Grounds where she has been working out over the last several weeks.

Havre de Grace won five of seven starts in 2011 for more than $1.6 million. She won the Apple Blossom and Azeri at Oaklawn Park followed by the Obeah, Woodward and Beldame. She lost the Delaware Handicap by a nose to arch rival Blind Luck and was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

For her accomplishments Havre de Grace was voted 2011 champion older female along with Horse of the Year.