Coach Chasing Third Straight Win In Rescheduled Bayakoa

Trainer Brad Cox tries to continue his dominance in Oaklawn's two-turn stakes series for older fillies and mares in Saturday's $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) at 1 1/16 miles.

The Bayakoa originally was scheduled Feb. 5 before being postponed because of a winter storm that closed the Hot Springs, Ark. track last weekend. The Bayakoa was redrawn Monday, with the original cast of seven again entered. The field will be reduced by at least one after trainer Phil Bauer said Mariah's Princess would be scratched.

Probable post time for the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa, the eighth of 11 races, is 3:47 p.m. (Central). The 10th race is the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses at 1 1/16 miles. First post Saturday is 12:10 p.m. (Central).

Cox has won four of Oaklawn's last five two-turn stakes races for older females, dating to the $150,000 Pippin in January 2021 with Getridofwhatailesu. Cox then captured the $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) with two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl and the $350,000 Azeri (G2) with Shedaresthedevil. Monomoy Girl, in what would be her final career start, was beaten a nose by Letruska in the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) last April to deny Cox a four-race sweep in 2021.

Cox found the winner's circle again in the $150,000 Pippin Jan. 8 with Coach (Commissioner), who is the 5-2 program favorite Saturday. Cox also has the 3-1 co-second choice in the program in multiple stakes winner Matera.

Freshened following last April's $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies, Coach is seeking her third consecutive victory. She was a sharp two-length allowance winner in her Dec. 17 comeback race at Oaklawn.

“Obviously, Coach loves Oaklawn,” Cox said. “She's better than she's ever been. She always tries hard. She's very competitive. Obviously, it's a step up. The way she's training, I feel like she can step another step forward. It will be her third run off the layoff, so I'm excited about her.”

Blue-blooded Matera – Tapit out of Oaklawn stakes winner Miss Macy Sue – captured an allowance race last March in Hot Springs in her first start for Cox. The $1.4 million Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate added stakes victories at Horseshoe Indianapolis (formerly Indiana Grand) and Ellis Park before closing 2021 with a runner-up finish in the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) Nov. 20 at Churchill Downs.

“Matera missed a little bit of time once she arrived at Oaklawn,” Cox said. “Had an illness. Nothing major at all, we just missed some time. Got her back going and she's had three works since. This was obviously a race we were pointing for, this and the Houston Ladies Classic (Jan. 30). Waiting for this gave us an opportunity to work her once more. She's a little behind where we expected her to be, given the fact she ran in November, and missed a little time. But she's done extremely well once we got her back to the track and training, so we'll see where we are.”

The Bayakoa entrants from the rail out:

  1. Matera, Florent Geroux to ride, 119 pounds, 3-1 on the morning line
  2. Miss Bigly, Ramon Vazquez, 119, 9-2
  3. She's All Wolfe, Francisco Arrieta, 119, 12-1
  4. Jilted Bride, Joel Rosario, 119, 8-1
  5. Mariah's Princess, Martin Garcia, 119, 5-1
  6. Queen Goddess, David Cabrera, 119, 3-1; and
  7. Coach, Ricardo Santana Jr., 122, 5-2.

Mariah's Princess, however, will be scratched after not training satisfactorily, Bauer said in a text message Wednesday night. Mariah's Princess has won her last two starts by a combined 9 ¼ lengths, including a three-length score in the inaugural $150,000 Mistletoe Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 4.

“Tough game,” Bauer said.

Southern California-based Queen Goddess exits a front-running 2 ¾-length victory in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. The 1 ¼-mile American Oaks, moved from the grass to the main track because of rain, marked the dirt debut for Queen Goddess, a 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker who races for her breeder, TOLO Thoroughbreds, & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Trainer Michael McCarthy said Queen Goddess arrived in Hot Springs Feb. 1 after being flown via FedEx to Memphis and vanned approximately 190 miles. Queen Goddess worked an easy half-mile in :53.40 Monday in advance of the Bayakoa, which is a major local prep for the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 12 and, ultimately, the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 23. The Azeri and Apple Blossom are also 1 1/16-mile races.

“Looks like on paper she should be right there, with a little bit of speed outside of her,” McCarthy said. “The controlling speed looks to be inside, so David can get himself into a good position going into the first turn and let the chips fall as they may.”

Queen Goddess made her first five career starts on grass. In addition to winning at 1 ¼ miles, Queen Goddess broke her maiden at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 7 at Del Mar and finished fifth in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 16 at Keeneland.

“This is a mile and a sixteenth, so a little different strategy, a little different race shape,” McCarthy said. “We'll see. She's certainly earned the chance to go ahead and compete.”

The consistent Miss Bigly ran third behind Matera in the Chilukki and second behind Coach in the Pippin. Trained by Phil D'Amato, Miss Bigly has finished first, second or third in 19 of 25 lifetime starts.

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California Shipper Queen Goddess Gets ‘Extended Stay’ At Oaklawn, Ready For Delayed Bayakoa

Southern California-based Queen Goddess will try to make the most of her extended stay in Arkansas when the Grade 1 winner faces six rivals in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) for older fillies and mares Saturday at Oaklawn.

The Bayakoa originally was scheduled Feb. 5 before being postponed because of a winter storm that closed the track last weekend. The Bayakoa was redrawn Monday, with the original cast of seven again entered. Probable post time for the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa, the eighth of 11 races, is 3:47 p.m. (Central). The 10th race is the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses at 1 1/16 miles. First post Saturday is 12:10 p.m.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Queen Goddess exits a front-running 2 ¾-length victory in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. The 1 ¼-mile American Oaks, moved from the grass to the main track because of rain, marked the dirt debut of Queen Goddess, a 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker who races for her breeder, TOLO Thoroughbreds, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

McCarthy said Queen Goddess arrived in Hot Springs Feb. 1 after being flown via FedEx to Memphis and vanned approximately 190 miles.

“Little bit of a curveball with the weather,” McCarthy said Tuesday afternoon. “Not something we get much of out here in California. But the filly seems like she's doing well, even with the extended stay.”

Queen Goddess worked an easy half-mile in :53.40 Monday in advance of the Bayakoa, which is a major local prep for the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 12 and, ultimately, the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 23. The Azeri and Apple Blossom are also 1 1/16-mile races.

Queen Goddess made her first five career starts on grass, breaking her maiden at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 7 at Del Mar and finishing fifth in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 16 at Keeneland.

McCarthy said he considered staying home for the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3) at 1 mile on the turf Jan. 29 at Santa Anita before opting to keep Queen Goddess on dirt and shipping to Oaklawn.

“Nothing out here kind of made sense on the schedule,” McCarthy said. “We gave some thought to the Megahertz. Her race on the dirt was so good in the American Oaks. Thought we would go back there and try our hand on that surface and if she adapted well to it, took well to it, obviously would give some thought to the Apple Blossom in the spring.”

McCarthy won the 2020 Apple Blossom with Ce Ce, among three finalists for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion female sprinter of 2021. Ce Ce punctuated her 2021 campaign with a victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar. She finished second in the $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes (G2) last Saturday at Santa Anita in her 6-year-old debut.

McCarthy said Ce Ce could return to Oaklawn this year, adding much may hinge on Queen Goddess' performance in the Bayakoa.

“I'd like for you to see both of these there in the spring,” McCarthy said.

Queen Goddess has a 3-1-1 record and career earnings of $303,080. The Bayakoa will be her second start outside California.

The Bayakoa field from the rail out:

  1. Matera, Florent Geroux to ride, 119 pounds, 3-1 on the morning line;
  2. Miss Bigly, Ramon Vazquez, 119, 9-2;
  3. She's All Wolfe, Francisco Arrieta, 119, 12-1;
  4. Jilted Bride, Joel Rosario, 119, 8-1;
  5. Mariah's Princess, Martin Garcia, 119, 5-1;
  6. Queen Goddess, David Cabrera, 119, 3-1; and
  7. Coach, Ricardo Santana Jr., 122, 5-2.

Two-time Eclipse Award winner Monomoy Girl won last year's Bayakoa for trainer Brad Cox, who will send out Matera and Coach.

The 1 1/16-mile Razorback drew nine older horses: Popular Kid, Super Stock, Lone Rock, Rated R Superstar, Promise Keeper, Thomas Shelby, Last Samurai, Plainsman and Silver Prospector.

Millionaire multiple Grade 2 winner Lone Rock is the 3-1 program favorite after winning 7 of 9 starts last year, including the inaugural $200,000 Tinsel Stakes Dec. 18 for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Probable post time for the Razorback is 4:56 p.m. The Razorback is a major local prep for the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at 1 1/8 miles April 23.

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As Time Goes By Finds Winning Form Again In Bayakoa

The last time As Time Goes By saw the inside of the winner's circle was after her win in the Grade 2 Santa Maria May 22 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. In the Bayakoa, the daughter of American Pharoah found her winning form again, taking the G3 stakes after shaking off a challenge from Warren's Showtime in the Los Alamitos stretch.

With the scratch of Lisette, the Bayakoa field was down to six, with As Time Goes By facing Warren's Showtime, second in her last start in the Betty Grable, and Moonlight d'Oro, a last-out second to Livingmybestlife in the Seashell at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. After an even break, Harvest Moon showed her head in front first, with As Time Goes By stalking on the rail and Bye Bye Bertie on the outside in third. They stayed one-two-three around the first turn and into the backstretch, with Stellar Sound boldly moving to the lead in the last part of the backstretch. As Time Goes By went with her, these two entering the far turn with As Time Goes By on the lead.

Into the stretch at the Cypress, Calif., track, As Time Goes By was able to shake off Stellar Sound, who gave way to a surging Warren's Showtime on the outside. As Time Goes By did not let her challenger by, holding off Warren's Showtime to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Moonlight d'Oro was third and Stellar Sound fourth.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.97. Find this race's chart here.

As Time Goes By paid $4.20, $3.00, and $2.10. Warren's Showtime paid $4.40 and $2.80. Moonlight d'Oro paid $2.40.

“She was going well the entire way. I actually think (Warren's Showtime) got about a neck ahead of me in midstretch, but she regrouped and really dug in. She was very game,'' jockey Flavien Prat said after the Bayakoa.

“I love this filly. I love (wife) Jill No. 1 and this filly No. 2. My two favorite girls. They went so fast early, I was afraid of the runner-up (Warren's Showtime) who is a really good horse, and I was hoping (As Time Goes By) would have something left. I've always been high on her. I'm hoping she runs as a 5-year-old because I'd really like to win a Grade 1 with her and I know she can. (Owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith) said if she's doing well, they will keep her in training,'' trainer Bob Baffert said after the race.

Bred in Kentucky by Orpendale and Chelston, As Time Goes By is out of the Dehere mare Take Charge Lady, a multiple G1 stakes winner and dam of 2013 Travers Stakes winner Will Take Charge. The 4-year-old filly is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. With her win in the G3 Bayakoa, As Time Goes By has four wins in nine starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of five wins in 12 starts and career earnings of $535,600.

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Starlet, Los Alamitos Futurity Headline Winter Stakes Schedule At Los Al

Four stakes for 2-year-olds – including a pair of graded races – highlight the upcoming Winter Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos.

The season is scheduled to begin Friday, Dec. 3 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 12.

The $300,000-guaranteed Starlet, a Grade 1 for 2-year-old fillies, will be renewed for the eighth time at Los Alamitos Saturday, Dec. 4, one week before the $200,000 Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. Won a year ago by the Bob Baffert-trained Varda, the Starlet – like the Futurity – will be contested at 1 1/16 miles.

Among the nominees to the Starlet are impressive Del Mar Debutante winner Grace Adler, Dance to the Music, Elm Drive and Eda.

Nominees for the Futurity, which was won a year ago by Spielberg, giving Baffert his seventh consecutive win in the race, include Del Mar Futurity winner Pinehurst, Enbarr, winner of the local Capote Stakes, Pappacap and Rhetoric.

The other two stakes for juveniles will be run at one mile and are ungraded. The $100,000 Soviet Problem – for fillies – will be offered Saturday, Dec. 11 while the $100,000 King Glorious will be run Sunday, Dec. 12. Both are for 2-year-olds bred or sired in California.

Completing the stakes schedule is the Grade 3, $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies & mares (3-year-olds & up) at 1 1/16 miles. The Bayakoa will be run Sunday, Dec. 5.

The complete LACF Winter Thoroughbred Stakes schedule:

Saturday, Dec. 4 – The Starlet (Grade 1) – 2-Year-Old Fillies – One & One Sixteenth Miles – $300,000-guaranteed

Sunday, Dec. 5 – Bayakoa Stakes (Grade 3) – 3-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares – One & One Sixteenth Miles – $100,000-guaranteed

Saturday, Dec. 11 – Soviet Problem Stakes – 2-Year-Old Fillies, Bred or Sired in California – One Mile – $100,000-guaranteed

Saturday, Dec. 11 – Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade 2) – 2-Year-Olds – One & One Sixteenth Miles – $200,000-guaranteed

Sunday, Dec. 12 – King Glorious Stakes – 2-Year-Olds, Bred or Sired in California – One Mile – $100,000-guaranteed

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