Bayakoa Handicap (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
December 3, 2016

There were only four in this year’s running of the Grade 2 Bayakoa, which was just the second time in which the race has been run.  For trainer Asgar, this race will take on an all new and special meaning as the first graded stake that they have ever been able to win.   The trainer joined the game during the 2015 season and has been doing fairly well up to this point, but that graded stake just continued to elude them.  Prior to this race, Asgar had been 0-for-31 in their career at the graded level, and that’s the type of streak that this writer can also relate to.  You start to wonder if it will ever happen.  Today, it finally did.   I did pick Ghastly to finish fourth of four, but it was not because I doubted her ability, I simply was thinking that she had been racing too much recently and this would come back to bite her.  Perhaps many of the betting public also thought this, as she went off at 21/1 odds. It’s her third straight win, and based on that form, why not continue to put her out there if she continues to thrive on the shorter rest!   Aboard the winner was V Espinoza, and the time of the win 1:41.85.  Congratulations! As this was only the second time the stake has been run, and first ever at DMR, we can’t compare those times to any other races.  Here’s a deeper look at it!

1st- 4- Ghastly (21/1)- Today’s winning mare, from Asgar, went off as the longest shot on the board but would step up very nicely here.   She would fine out of the gate initially, but V Espinoza soon looked to put her off the pace and run at the rear of the field momentarily, though just three and a half back.  Would move up a spot when Mischief Made appeared to be put on a strong restrain while rounding the opening turn.  As the field moved into the backstretch, Espinoza wanted to make sure the leader did not get too far ahead and advanced Ghastly to run into more of a stalking position, running alongside The Reaper, about two lengths from the lead. Settled into this position for the entire length of the backstretch and even as we moved around the turn, there was not much of a push from her.  It was only on exit of the turn did Ghastly appear to hit her best stride.   She beared down nicely on Princess Legion, and made the pass of the tiring leader with about half a furlong to go.   With no other threats looming, Asgar could finally began to cheer and celebrate their first ever graded stake victory!  The time again, was 1:41.85.  Ghastly is a five year old mare by the late Mississippi Moon (Black Moon) and out of the late autogen 6 Dollar Horse.  She was bred in West Virginia as a yearling by Visceral Farms and was acquired by Asgar via Kingelleinc for a $16.000 claiming tag in April of 2015.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 3- Princess Legion (1/1)- The even money favorite from John Henry looked good out of the gate, and would move into the lead just prior to entering the opening turn. Once there, she would open a lead of about a length and half as she set the opening quarter in a time of :23.87.  With a steady and graceful stride, she would show the way down the backstretch, running a half in :47.62 while extending her lead to two lengths as they prepared to round the final turn.  Led while rounding the turn, still, with no major push coming from behind and Ghastly only beginning to lurk.  Ran six furlongs in 1:11.12.  Seemed to be in good shape heading into the stretch, but started to show signs of tiring, and could not hold off Ghastly with the other three getting closer to her as well.

3rd- 1- The Reaper (5/2)- Got off to a pretty good start while along the rail for Heavens Own.  Allowed Princess Legion to jump out to take the lead and chose to settle into a stalking position with it initially looking like Mischief Made was going to run alongside her around the opening turn.  Put no pressure on Princess Legion in the backstretch, and actually lost a bit of ground, trailing by two as they moved into the turn.  Made no challenge to the frontrunner while rounding the turn and was passed with little resistance by Ghastly prior to hitting the top of the stretch.  Only would be able to get within a length.

4th- 2- Mischief Made (9/5)- The Mb Stables filly got off a solid start out of the gate and appeared as though she was going to be content running alongside The Reaper just a length or two from the lead.  However, in the opening turn, J Talamo seemed to put a heavy restrain on her, and as we moved into the backstretch, she was at the rear of the field, four and a half lengths out.  Content to maintain this gap to the leaders during the backstretch trip.  Only able to make up a length while rounding the turn.  Started to come on in the stretch, but still never threatened the leader and was disappointing here given her normal consistent nature.

Track: Fast
Time: :23⁴  :47³  1:11   1:41⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 3 Paid 53.40

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES