SARATOGA SPRINGS – Without a doubt, the most crowd-pleasing victory so far at this meet came when the 6-year-old mare Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year that many considered over the hill, snapped a three-race losing streak in the Aug. 1 Go For Wand Stakes, beating heavy favorite Sightseek by 1 3/4 lengths.

Azeri received a standing ovation when she returned to the winner’s circle that day, and no doubt she’ll get one again if she wins today’s Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes, which drew a field of five fillies and mares. The Personal Ensign will be Azeri’s first start ever at a mile-and-a-quarter, but trainer D. Wayne Lukas isn’t concerned.

“I don’t think the distance will be a problem,” he said. “She’s got a high cruising rate. When she gets in a race, she has learned to be efficient. It may even benefit her to run longer. I know she’s better at two turns than one.”

Only one other runner from the Go For Wand is back to try Azeri again: Personal Ensign’s granddaughter, Storm Flag Flying. Champion 2-year-old filly of 2002, Storm Flag Flying is just now rounding to her best form after missing most of last year due to injury.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the way she has come out of [the Go for Wand],” said trainer Shug McGaughey, who guided Personal Ensign through her undefeated 13-race career. “The cuts [she sustained on her hind legs during the race] are healed, and she has been training well. It sure would be nice to win.”