Don't Tell Sophia will skip Bayakoa

Don’t Tell Sophia, one of the top older females in North America, will not run in the Grade 3, $100,000 Bayakoa at Oaklawn on Feb. 15, as had been a goal, her co-owner and trainer, Phil Sims, said Wednesday.

“She’s at Keeneland,” Sims said. “I’m not in a hurry right now. It’s a long year, and our ultimate goal is in the fall.”

Sims said his primary objective for Don’t Tell Sophia is a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

“It’s at Keeneland, our home track,” said Sims.

Don’t Tell Sophia traveled to Santa Anita last year for the Breeders’ Cup and finished a big second to Untapable one start after becoming a Grade 1 winner in the Spinster at Keeneland. Sims said he considers Don’t Tell Sophia possible for Oaklawn’s remaining stakes for her division, the Grade 2, $300,000 Azeri on March 14 and the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 10.

Sims co-owns Don’t Tell Sophia, a 7-year-old by Congaree, with Jerry Namy.

◗ A handful of fillies and mares who ran in the $100,000 American Beauty last month at Oaklawn meet again in Sunday’s eighth race, a third-level optional $62,500 claimer over six furlongs. Haveyougoneaway finished best of all, as she was third by a half-length in the American Beauty. Jareth Loveberry has the mount for Champion Racing Stable and trainer Allen Milligan.