Close Hatches returns to action in Azeri

Don't Tell Sophia is a four-time stakes winner at Oaklawn and placed in both

the Azeri and Apple Blossom last season. The six-year-old was much the best

earlier in the Oaklawn meeting when taking both the $100,000 Pippin and $100,000

Bayakoa for a second straight year.

Flashy American, who captured the Iowa Distaff and Locust Grove last summer,

is another viable candidate. The Azeri field is rounded out by Dixie Strike,

Sister Ginger, and Magic Union.

There appears to be plenty of speed in the Razorback Handicap, a prep for the

$500,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 12. The charismatic gray Taptowne, who

finished first or second in eight of 10 starts last season, will break from post

1, while Essex Handicap winner Right to Vote will break to his immediate right.

Farther outside is the speedy Govenor Charlie, the Baffert-trained winner of

last year's Sunland Park Derby who finished second in January 18 Strub at Santa

Anita following an eight-month layoff.

Called to Serve will make his first start in over a year in the Razorback.

Now in the Asmussen barn, the gelding ended 2012 with powerful wins in the

Discovery Handicap at Aqueduct and Broad Brush at Laurel, but hit the sidelines

after a distant third to Game On Dude in last year's Santa Anita Handicap.

Making his stakes debut in the Razorback is the Todd Pletcher-trained Golden

Lad, who has taken three straight allowances at Gulfstream. The field is rounded

out by Essex runner-up Street Spice and California stakes winner Majestic City.

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