HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) Gold Medal Dancer led wire-to-wire in the $300,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, spoiling Untapable's return to the track for the first time since last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff.
The 4-year-old filly, ridden by John Velazquez, ran steady just behind Gold Medal Dancer throughout, and trailed by a head entering the stretch, but couldn't gain an edge.
Velazquez said afterward Untapable was in a ''perfect position'' but seemed hesitant. The 1 1/16-mile race was Untapable's first in the mud.
Untapable won the $2 million 1 1/8-mile Distaff over Don't Tell Sophia last Oct. 31.
Untapable's stablemate, Tapiture, ran fifth in the $250,000 Razorback Handicap, and last year's Preakness runner-up, Ride On Curlin, ran last in the six-horse field. Race Day took the lead from Midnight Hawk in the final turn and won by a neck.
