Jose D’Angelo-trained Azam is set to make his long-awaited return to action at Gulfstream Park on Sunday after a break following his graded stakes appearance in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. The promising three-year-old will return to the track where he secured his maiden victory earlier this year, taking his place in Race 8, a one-turn mile optional claiming allowance for sophomores.
Gulfstream Park Sunday race preview.
The nine-race programme gets underway at 12:20 p.m., with Azam’s comeback one of the afternoon’s key attractions. Returning to familiar surroundings is expected to suit the colt, who will be making the fifth start of his career and his fourth appearance at Gulfstream Park.
A $165,000 son of McKinzie, Azam made an encouraging debut at Gulfstream last June when he crossed the finish line first in a maiden special weight over five furlongs before being demoted to second after interference in the closing stages.
After spending several months away from the races, he returned in late March to finish third before producing a decisive front-running display over one mile on April 18 to break his maiden by two lengths. That performance earned him an opportunity to step into graded company in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) over 1â…› miles at Aqueduct.
Facing tougher opposition and racing around two turns for the first time, Azam tracked the early pace before fading in the closing stages to finish fifth. The race has since gained further strength, with winner Growth Equity later competing in the Belmont Stakes, runner-up Talk to Me Jimmy capturing the New York Derby and third-place finisher Trendsetter adding another graded placing in the Ohio Derby (G3).
Following that outing, Azam was given time to recover before resuming training. His preparation for Sunday’s return has included eight recorded workouts, the latest being a half-mile breeze in 49.65 seconds at Palm Meadows on July 19, indicating steady progress ahead of his comeback.
Leonel Reyes, who partnered Azam to his maiden success, reunites with the colt from Post 2 in a compact field of six runners.
The return to a one-turn mile is expected to play to Azam’s strengths, while the race will also provide an opportunity to assess whether he is ready for another step up in distance later in the season.
Among his rivals are Hayden Remembered, who recently defeated older horses over the same course and distance, and Moonstrocity, who switches back to the main track after his latest outing on the Tapeta surface and adds blinkers for the first time.
Elsewhere in the stable, D’Angelo’s Florida-bred sprinter Monster is likely to continue his campaign in the Mahony Stakes (G3) at Saratoga after producing a strong third-place finish in the Quick Call Stakes (G3) earlier this month.
With proven form at Gulfstream Park and a solid preparation behind him, Sunday’s assignment offers Azam an important opportunity to resume his progress and re-establish himself among the leading three-year-olds in his division.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz