Oaklawn | Horse Racing Free Tips

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:

Matera, Florent Geroux to ride, 119 pounds, 3-1 on the morning line
Miss Bigly, Ramon Vazquez, 119, 9-2
She's All Wolfe, Francisco Arrieta, 119, 12-1
Jilted Bride, Joel Rosario, 119, 8-1
Mariah's Princess, Martin Garcia, 119, 5-1
Queen Goddess, David Cabrera, 119, 3-1; and
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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All-Stakes Cross Country Pick 5 Features Racing From Aqueduct, Oaklawn, Tampa

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host an all-stakes Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring racing action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saturday's sequence kicks off at Tampa Bay Downs with the $150,000 Suncoast [Race 8, 3:49 p.m.], a one mile and 40 yard test for sophomore fillies offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A field of eight is led by Nest, a bay daughter of Curlin, who captured the Grade 2 Demoiselle last out at the Big A for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Maiden winners Peaceful Surprise and Princess Elin will look to spring an upset.

Action switches to Aqueduct for the second leg featuring the $100,000 Gander [Race 8, 4:30 p.m.], a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores led by stakes winners Barese and Geno. Barese, undefeated in two starts, captured the Rego Park last out for trainer Mike Maker; while Geno enters from a neck score in the NYSSS Great White Way for conditioner David Donk. Impressive maiden winner Bold Journey, a half-brother to Grade 1-winning New York-bred Americanrevolution, will make his stakes debut for Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

A field of seven older fillies and mares line up in the middle leg in the Grade 3 Bayakoa [Race 8, 4:47] at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile test led by the multiple graded stakes placed Coach for trainer Brad Cox. The 4-year-old Commissioner bay boasts a record of 5-2-1-1 at Oaklawn and will look to make the grade from the outermost post under Ricardo Santana, Jr.

The penultimate leg will see an overflow field of 13 sophomores square off in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis [Race 10, 4:54 p.m.], a 1 1/16-mile event offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A wide-open field includes a trio of contenders for Hall of Famer Mark Casse in graded stakes winner God of Love, two-time winner Golden Glider and maiden winner Volcanic. Steep opposition will be provided by the Grade 1-placed Classic Causeway for trainer Brian Lynch; undefeated multiple stakes winner Make It Big for Saffie Joseph, Jr.; and the multiple New York-bred stakes winner Shipsational for conditioner Edward Barker.

The sequence concludes with the Grade 3 Razorback [Race 10, 5:56] for older horses from Oaklawn as Lone Rock cuts back to 1 1/16 miles for the first time in eight starts for conditioner Robertino Diodoro. The multiple graded stakes winning son of Majestic Warrior won 7-of-9 starts last season, including scores in the 12-furlong Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont Park and the 13-furlong Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Del Mar. He will need to overcome the Cox-trained graded stakes winner Plainsman and the 9-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Rater R Superstar, who enters from a score in the Fifth Season at Oaklawn for trainer Federico Villafranco.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, Feb. 12:
Leg A: Tampa – Race 8, $150K Suncoast (3:49 p.m.)
Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $100K Gander (4:30 p.m.)
Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 8, G3 Bayakoa (4:47 p.m.)
Leg D: Tampa – Race 10, G3 Sam F. Davis (4:54 p.m.)
Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 10, G3 Razorback (5:56 p.m.)

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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:

Matera, Florent Geroux to ride, 119 pounds, 3-1 on the morning line;
Miss Bigly, Ramon Vazquez, 119, 9-2;
She's All Wolfe, Francisco Arrieta, 119, 12-1;
Jilted Bride, Joel Rosario, 119, 8-1;
Mariah's Princess, Martin Garcia, 119, 5-1;
Queen Goddess, David Cabrera, 119, 3-1; and
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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Allowance Win Sets Up Warrior’s Charge For Return To Stakes Action

Millionaire Warrior's Charge is back in the conversation for Oaklawn's two-turn stakes series for older horses following a runaway allowance victory Jan. 28. The horse's stablemate and younger half-sister, Warrior's Battle, could eventually be in the stakes conversation, too, after three blowout victories earlier in the meeting.

Turning back the clock under regular rider Florent Geroux, Warrior's Charge ($5.60) recorded a 9 3/4-length victory after tracking isolated leader Fact Finding for much of the 1 1/16-mile race and seizing command on the outside turning for home. The final time of 1:45.50 over a fast track generated a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 101, which equaled a career high. It was the first time Warrior's Charge, a 6-year-old son of Munnings, crossed the finish line first since the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses in February 2020 at Oaklawn.

Warrior's Charge, who has evolved into a stalker after being a confirmed front-runner earlier in his career, will target the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at 1 1/16 miles March 19, trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday afternoon.

“He's always been a good horse,” Cox said. “He's obviously a multiple Grade 3 winner. It was big. He got a big figure at Keeneland in the fall. He didn't win, but he was right there at the wire with a couple of other horses. On his day, he can show that he can run a triple-digit Beyer and be a factor in stake races as he's been in the past.”

After winning the Razorback, Warrior's Charge finished second in the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in May 2020 at Oaklawn and fourth in the $500,000 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in July 2020 at Belmont Park. Warrior's Charge – via a disqualification for interference near the wire – was elevated to first in the $200,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) the following month at Monmouth Park.

Warrior's Charge wouldn't win again until Jan. 28, a span of 10 starts. The stretch included a nose loss to Thomas Shelby at 1 1/16 miles in an Oct. 24 allowance race at Keeneland – each horse received a 101 Beyer – and a fourth-place finish behind millionaire multiple Grade 2 winner Lone Rock, Thomas Shelby and Beau Luminarie in the inaugural $200,000 Tinsel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles Dec. 18 at Oaklawn.

Warrior's Charge is co-owned by Ten Strike Racing (founding partners Marshall Gramm and Arkansas native Clay Sanders) and Madaket Stables (Sol Kumin). Ten Strike, which considers Oaklawn its home track, offers fractional ownership in horses to investors. Warrior's Charge recorded his first two career victories (both at 1 1/16 miles) by a combined 12 ½ front-running lengths at the 2019 Oaklawn meeting before finishing fourth in the Preakness in his next start.

“He's a very sound horse,” Cox said. “He's obviously a Ten Strike horse, which comes with a lot of fanfare there. There's a lot of partners in on him in the region, so it's always good for him to perform well there at Oaklawn.”

Cox said the “next logical spot” for Warrior's Charge is the Essex, a major local prep for the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 23. Warrior's Charge was fifth in last year's Oaklawn Handicap. The horse has never started in the Essex.

The Jan. 28 victory was the sixth in 21 starts overall for Warrior's Charge and boosted his earnings to $1,116,890. Before his sparkling allowance victory last month, Warrior's Charge had been upstaged by his rapidly improving younger half-sister, Warrior's Battle, during the 2021-2022 meeting that began Dec. 3.

Warrior's Battle became the meet's first three-time winner in a Jan. 22 starter/optional claimer, coasting to a 9 ¾-length victory in her two-turn debut for Cox and co-owners Ten Strike Racing and Titletown Racing Stables (Paul Farr). She paid $3.80 as the heavy 4-5 favorite.

Warrior's Battle, racing for a $40,000 claiming tag, broke her maiden by 7 ¼ lengths Dec. 5 and was a four-length starter/optional claiming winner Jan. 7.

“Probably won't run her back quite as quick as we did last time,” Cox said. “She gave us enough confidence with her last start to give her another run around two turns. There's obviously more money around two turns than there is one turn in Thoroughbred racing most of time.”

Warrior's Battle, a 3-year-old daughter of Khozan, was withdrawn from Keeneland's January Horses of All Ages Sale approximately a week before her two-turn victory because “we didn't believe that that was the best way to optimize value,” Farr said.

Now, her value seems to be increasing.

“We'll give her time,” Cox said. “I think like a first-level allowance is a logical spot. If she performs well there, I think we'll turn our attention toward some stakes.”

Purchased for $50,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Warrior's Battle has a 3-0-1 record from five lifetime starts and earnings of $79,500.

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