Bayakoa

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of eight has been entered for Sunday's $150,000 Bayakoa H. (G2), and

we're tabbing SPENDITALLBABY (Unusual Heat) to turn the tables on rival MODEL

(Giant's Causeway) in this 1 1/16-mile event. The Barry Abrams trainee rallied

from next to last in the It's in the Air S. last out, came three wide into the

stretch and was gaining on the winning Model, who started her run earlier

on the backstretch. Prior to that track and distance test, Spenditallbaby was

just a half-length back in fourth in the California Cup Matron H. while earning

a nice 104 BRIS Late Pace rating. The chestnut miss has the ability to earn her

first graded score in this spot, and will get jockey Mike Smith in the irons. We

take it as an added vote of confidence that Abrams scratched her from Saturday's

Pacific Heights S. at Golden Gate in favor of the Bayakoa.

Model has finished worse than third only once in 13 career starts, with

that one coming as a fourth in last year's edition of the Harold C. Ramser Sr.

H. Since then, the Neil Drysdale-conditioned bay has run second in such events

as the Spinster S. (G1) and Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2). She recorded her first

stakes win when taking the It's in the Air last out, and just needs to run back

to that race to grab her first graded victory here with Michael Baze returning

to the saddle.

BARONESS THATCHER (Johannesburg) was a tough competitor while under the

tutelage of trainer Patrick Biancone, but wasn't able to win a stakes while

running for Bill Mott in her last seven starts. Of those, her most impressive

effort came as a head runner-up to Intangaroo (Orientate) in the Humana Distaff

S. (G1) earlier this season. Biancone has taken up training duties again and

will be saddling Baroness Thatcher on Sunday off a sharp five-furlong move over

Santa Anita's Pro-Ride in :58 4/5 Monday. The chestnut four-year-old could

challenge for it all with Victor Espinoza if she reverts to her previous form.

LADY DIGBY (Grand Slam) has been competitive in turf graded stakes this year, and will factor in the top three if she manages to switch that

form to the Cushion Track. The Grade 3-winning Graham Motion charge was just a

half-length back in second in the 1 1/16-mile Gallorette H. (G3) four races

ago, and could find a place for herself in the exotics. Jose Valdivia Jr. has

the call. DOUBLE TROUBLE (Brz) (Wild Event) began the year in style, taking the

Santa Maria H. (G1) and finishing third in the Santa Margarita Invitational H.

(G1), but has tailed off quite a bit in her three starts since. The bay mare

could show more while returning to a synthetic track and should be considered

for the bottom of the gimmicks.

Multiple Group 3 winner WAKE UP MAGGIE (Ire) (Xaar) is an inconsistent sort

who either wins or finishes well back. She did not do so well last out in the

Spinster, and returns here off that two-month break. Not only might she need a

race, but the five-year-old bay might prefer a little less ground. BAI AND BAI (Falstaff)

recorded her last two wins on the dirt and didn't show much while racing on the

Cushion and Pro-Ride in her most recent two. We'll let her beat us. BRIECAT (Adcat)

appears to be the likely pacesetter, but we don't envision her lasting all the

way.