Untapable headlines Azeri Stakes in season bow

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hot Springs, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - Champion filly Untapable will face five challengers Saturday as she makes her 2015 debut in the $300,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Untapable, trained by Steve Asmussen, will leave from the inside post in the 1 1/16-mile stakes with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez taking over the mount from the retired Rosie Napravnik.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Untapable has earned nearly $3 million with eight wins from 11 lifetime starts. The 4-year-old reeled off consecutive wins last year in the Rachel Alexandra, Fair Grounds Oaks, Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose Stakes.

The filly took on the boys in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park but finished fifth as the 7-5 favorite to Bayern. However, she came back to win the Cotillion at Parx Racing and the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Untapable was a unanimous selection as 2014 champion 3-year-old filly, receiving all 265 votes.

Here is the field for the Azeri from the rail out: Untapable, John Velazquez; Diva's Diamond, Cliff Berry; Sugar Shock, Channing Hill; Gold Medal Dancer, Luis Quinonez; Mufajaah, Emmanuel Esquivel and Flashy American, Chris Landeros.

Th Azeri has an approximate post time of 5:21 p.m. ET.