2/4/23

   1   OP   The Bayakoa (GIII)             

     $250.000      4yo&Up F&M      1 1/6m     Dirt        122lbs 

What a race!  The Bayakoa (GIII) was a two-horse battle royal that went to the photographer to figure out the winner… and Matamata hung on by the slimmest of margins to deliver the victory to Smokey Stover, getting home by a nose in a rapid final time of 1:41.22 for the mile and a sixteenth, over the Fast OP track.  Always A Virgin pressed the winner all the way around, was gaining late, but just couldn’t quite get there, settling for the second spot in a sterling effort.  It was a length back to Feliz Cumpleanos in fourth and another neck to Zalinda, taking the minor money.  Ten lengths covered the field of seven.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES