Absinthe Minded all the way in Bayakoa

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Absinthe Minded indicated her intent to be a player in the filly and mare ranks this year at Oaklawn Park, when she won her second straight race at the meet in the $100,000 Bayakoa on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile stakes is one of the local preps leading up to the Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 15.

Absinthe Minded ($18) came into the Bayakoa off a victory by more than four lengths in a $35,000 optional claiming allowance at Oaklawn on Jan. 23. She led wire to wire that afternoon, and used the same tactics in the Bayakoa.

Absinthe Minded broke well and was clear by a length through fractions of 23.58 for the opening quarter, 47.36 for the half-mile and 1:11.84 for six furlongs. She spurted home to win by four lengths, covering the distance on a fast track in 1:43.62.

"When they left her alone, I felt pretty good," said Terry Thompson, who was aboard Absinthe Minded for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. "I knew she was going to have something left."

Briland Farm owns Absinthe Minded, who earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 93 for her optional claiming win at Oaklawn leading up to the Bayakoa. She is now 4-for-17, and the $60,000 she earned pushed her bankroll to $219,293.

Satans Quick Chick closed for second in the Bayakoa, 1 1/2 lengths clear of Tiz Miz Sue.

The next stop on the road to the Apple Blossom is the Grade 3, $100,000 Azeri on March 19.

Attendance ontrack was 20,983.