Call Pat closes strongly to capture Bayakoa

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Call Pat trailed early and came rolling late for a half-length win over Streamline on Sunday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park. It was another neck back in third to Meshell.

The Bayakoa served as a stepping-stone to the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap in April at Oaklawn. The next stop on the local road to that race is the Grade 2, $300,000 Azeri and the March 19 feature is a target for Call Pat, said her trainer, Brad Cox.

Call Pat ($6.80) settled about 10 lengths off the pace Sunday as Meshell set fractions of 24.10 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.88 for the half-mile, and 1:14.36 for six furlongs. Call Pat began to pick off rivals in the stretch, was part of a three-way battle to the wire late, and prevailed while covering 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:45.81.

“She's a really cool mare,” said winning rider Joe Rocco Jr. “If you get her to reserve herself early, she puts in a tremendous stretch run.”

Call Pat is owned by Miller Racing. She was winning her second career stakes race behind the Grade 3 Groupie Doll last August at Ellis Park. Call Pat earned $60,000 for her effort Sunday to improve her overall record to six wins from 29 starts for earnings of $404,589.

Call Pat is a 6-year-old mare by Lawyer Ron and she was bred in Kentucky by Don Ameche III, Don Ameche Jr., and Prancing Horse Enterprises.