Call Pat Makes Return a Winning One in G3 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Hot Springs, Ark. (Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016) – Miller Racing LLC’s Call Pat, off since late November, proved the time away wasn’t a problem when she rallied from last to win Sunday’s $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) by a half-length over Pippin Stakes winner Streamline.

Call Pat trailed the field by several lengths while Meshell led the field through early fractions of :24 and :48 4/5 for the first half mile. The pacesetter still maintained the advantage through six furlongs in 1:14 1/5, but grudgingly gave way as she was caught late by Call Pat and Streamline. The winner completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45 4/5 over a fast track. Sarah Sis, the 7-5 favorite, finished fourth.

“She’s a really cool mare,” said winning jockey Joe Rocco Jr. “If you get her to reserve herself early, she puts in a tremendous stretch run. I want to thank (trainer) Brad (Cox) and the owners (Miller Racing) for letting me ride her again. They did a great job. She was ready to go, as always. I had so much horse, I wasn’t really concerned with the traffic. I was pretty sure I would find somewhere to point her and I had enough horse she was going to get it done.”

Call Pat, a 6-year-old mare by 2006 Arkansas Derby winner Lawyer Ron, was winning her second graded stakes following last year’s Groupie Doll (G3) at Ellis Park and overall, improved her record to 6-5-5 in 29 starts with earnings of $404,589. She returned $6.80, $4.20 and $3.20 as the 2-1 second choice in the field of eight. Cowgirl in Love was scratched.

Live racing resumes Monday at 1:05 p.m. for a special Presidents Day card featuring the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) and $55,000 Progressive Cash Giveaway.

Bayakoa Quotes:
Winning jockey Joe Rocco Jr.: “She’s a really cool mare. If you get her to reserve herself early, she puts in a tremendous stretch run. I want to thank Brad and the owners for letting me ride her again. They did a great job. She was ready to go, as always. I had so much horse, I wasn’t really concerned with the traffic. I was pretty sure I would find somewhere to point her and I had enough horse she was going to get it done.”

Winning trainer Brad Cox: “As long as she comes out of it [good], without a doubt, she’ll be in the Azeri. With her being 6 years old, multiple graded stakes winner, we’re not stepping down in class at this point. To try and increase her value, we’ll try to pick off a Grade 2 with her. As long as she’s sound, we’ll race her through her 6-year-old year.”

Jockey Julio Felix, fourth aboard Sarah Sis: “In her last race going three-quarters, she was 80% being it was her first start of the year. Now, going a mile & a 1/16^th, she got tired at the end and I think she just might be a filly that is better at one mile after this race today. She did try for me and we were confident today, but I think the distance got us.”

Source: Oaklawn Park