Comparative battles back to win Bayakoa Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Comparative was resilient through the stretch Friday, fighting off all comers for a half-length win over Ice Orchid in the Grade 3, $250,000 Bayakoa at Oaklawn Park.

“It was a battle,” winning trainer Brad Cox said.

The complexion of the Bayakoa, which is a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, changed as soon as the starting gate opened. Hot and Sultry, the projected pacesetter, stumbled badly and was left to trail the field.

Comparative ($14.40) moved to the fore and set fractions of 24.07 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.12 for the half-mile, and 1:12.82 while pushed along by Shotgun Hottie on the fast track. The latter poked her head in front approaching the quarter pole, but Comparative found more, regained the lead, and then withstood bids from Misty Veil and Ice Orchid to get to the wire first in 1:44.81.

“She ran a tremendous race,” said Cox, who also credited the ride by Manny Franco. “She fought back a couple of challenges and stayed on.

“She’s really put it all together with her freshening.”

Comparative was winning her third straight race since returning from a freshening in November. She came into the Bayakoa off a win in the $150,000 Ladies at 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct.

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Comparative picked up her first graded stakes in the Bayakoa, and Cox said the plan in conversations with breeder and owner Godolphin had been to search out graded opportunities for the well-bred daughter of Street Sense.

“It worked out today,” Cox said. “Hopefully, we can have her continue to improve and move forward. Hopefully, she’ll be able to compete at an even higher level.”

Cox said Comparative could move into Grade 2 company for her next start as she will be considered for the $400,000 Azeri next month at Oaklawn.

“Right now, we could stay here and target the Azeri,” said Cox, who has a division at Oaklawn. “We’ll talk it over with the Godolphin team.”

Misty Veil finished third in the Bayakoa, 1 1/4 lengths behind Ice Orchid.

Comparative is now 5 for 11 for earnings of $410,995. She is a full sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Street Sense, an earner of more than $577,000.

The Bayakoa was originally scheduled for last Saturday, but was switched to Friday’s card as Oaklawn had to move the Southwest and its supporting stakes from Jan. 27 to Saturday in the aftermath of a winter storm system that moved into the region Jan. 14.

* Jockey Kylee Jordan dislocated a shoulder in an incident earlier on the card, according to her agent, Bobby Dean. He said more on her status would be known Friday night as a family member was taking her for medical care.

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