Bayakoa

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A full field of 14 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles to contest the
$150,000 Bayakoa H. (G2) at Hollywood Park on Sunday. With the lack of a
standout in this group, we’ll look for some value in our selections.

J. Paul Reddam’s VAGUE (Elusive Quality) has been somewhat unimpressive in her
U.S. starts to date, but we expect a major form reversal from the sophomore.
The bay filly was spectacular in a facile win in the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas earlier in
the year, and after facing some of the best in her division, shows up here to
tackle elders for the initial time. The miss has posted a pair of solid works
over the Cushion Track, hails from the top connections on the grounds — trainer
Doug O’Neill and jockey Corey Nakatani — and seems poised for a top effort in her well
drawn five post.

SILVER HIGHLIGHT (Silver Charm) is arguably the most consistent horse in the
group and merits a shot in here for trainer Edward Freeman. The gray
four-year-old made a nice U.S. debut last year when taking the Wonder Where S.
and has picked up where she left off, finishing first or second in all
six of her 2006 outings. A winner at Santa Anita in her seasonal bow, the miss
has experience over the synthetic surface and has the presence of Garret Gomez,
leading us to believe that she’s a contender for the top prize.

NEUILLY (Brz) (Royal Academy) captured the Adoration S. two back before a
fourth-place finish versus better in the Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup H. (G2)
most recently. The Bobby Frankel charge has been freshened for this and has
posted seven solid drills over this surface, likely leading her up to a top
showing. Although we’re not fond of the 14 post, the amount of early speed in
front of her should allow Alex Solis to secure a decent trip aboard the
four-year-old.

SLEW PEG (Fusaichi Pegasus) has performed well over artificial surfaces and
posted a bullet five panels leading up to this for trainer Patrick Biancone. The
dark bay miss was a solid third in the Turfway Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) last
out and has the look of an improving type. The front runner will likely find the
going tough near the lead, so a patient ride by Julien Leparoux is essential in
order to maximize the three-year-old’s chances.

FREAKIN STREAKIN (Tactical Advantage) hasn’t finished first in some time, but
the late runner is an ideal exotics horse in this spot. The chestnut,
conditioned by Julio Canani, was a nice fourth in the Milady Breeders’ Cup H.
(G2) three prior, and a repeat of that might get the five-year-old a piece of
the pie. Mike Baze will guide the mare. TANTA SUERTE (Chi) (Stuka) was impressive in a tally in the Las Madrina H.
most recently and could threaten with some improvement off that one. The
Laura de Seroux-trained Chilean champion earned a strong BRIS Late Pace figure in her
latest and should have some pace to run at in here. A top-three placing under
David Flores is well within reach for the filly.

ROUND HEELS (Ire) (Daggers Drawn) has been knocking on the door on the grass,
and could be a factor in her Cushion Track debut for de Seroux. The chestnut
five-year-old has an affinity for the winner’s circle, taking six of her 17
lifetime starts, but has never faced a field like this. The lass could
challenge for a black-type placing with a liking for this surface and a ground-saving trip under Richard Migliore. FOXYSOX (GB) (Foxhound) has been working well over this going and is yet
another who could factor with her best. The multiple Grade 3-winning three-year-old
has faced Grade 1 quality in her last trio and could appreciate the drop in
class. We’re not thrilled with the current form of the chestnut, but she’s
surely classy enough to challenge these. Victor Espinoza will pilot the filly.

RIVER SAVAGE (Brz) (First American) has captured her last pair and steps up
to graded company for A. C. Avila. The dark bay beat small fields in her two
victories in modest times, so we’ll let her beat us at big odds. STRONG FAITH (Pioneering) was in great form while racing up north in 2005,
but the dark bay hasn’t been the same animal this season. A switch to the new
ground could provide a wake-up call, but we’ll take a stand against. BELLA BANISSA (Good and Tough) is clearly the speed of the field, but we can’t
envision the bay being a factor in the latter stages here. 

DONA AMELIA (Chi) (Big Blue) was a solid third in her U.S. bow for Eduardo Inda, and steps up to
stateside stakes company in this one. We have no idea what to make
of the miss, but we’ll take a pass. GINS MAJESTY (Go For Gin) has captured three
consecutive events in the Northwest, but sports low BRIS Speed figures and can’t be
endorsed. GHURRA (War Chant) prefers to be forwardly placed but will likely find
that to her detriment in here.