She’s a Julie Wires G3 Bayakoa

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Trainer Steve Asmussen’s She’s a Julie made her 2019 debut in impressive fashion on Monday, taking the field of 10 fillies and mares gate to wire in the Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Breaking from post 6 as the 7/5 favorite under Ricardo Santana, Jr., She’s a Julie cleared her inside foe and crossed over to take command heading into the first turn. Running unopposed for much of the backstretch, She’s a Julie posted fractions of :23.78 and :48.01 before Remedy and Moonlit Garden challenged her approaching the far turn. Still in hand as she hit the top of the stretch, She’s a Julie rebroke and began kicking away strongly. Put to task in midstretch, She’s a Julie cleared away to win by 2 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:43.55 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the fast main track.

“She ran a good race,” said Santana, Jr. “That filly, she’s always loyal, always tries hard, always tries her best. She took a little time off and came back fresh and won a big race.”

Promise of Spring came rallying down the middle of the track late and was able to get up for second by 1 1/2 lengths over a weakening Moonlit Garden. Rose of Malibu necked out Remedy for fourth, while Dutch Parrot never got going after hopping at the start and settled for sixth. Sydney Freeman took seventh by a neck over Auspicious Babe, with Smart Emma and Holiday’s Angel completing the order of finish.

She’s a Julie returned to the winner’s circle for the fourth time in her last six starts and improved her overall record to 12-5-2-1. The 4-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality has now earned $580,530 for co-owners Bradley Thoroughbreds, Whispering Oaks Farm, Team Hanley, Madaket Stables, and Tim and Anna Cambron.

She’s a Julie returned $4.80 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.60 to show. Promise of Spring brought back $12.20 to place and $7.40 to show, while Moonlit Garden paid $3.20 to show.