Farrell prepping for Apple Blossom in Bayakoa

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Farrell’s objective at this Oaklawn Park meet is the Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom, and trainer Wayne Catalano has said her schedule will be dictated by that goal. As such, Farrell’s final prep for the April 13 race will come Saturday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Bayakoa at Oaklawn.

Farrell figures to go favored over six others in the 1 1/16-mile race after defeating some of these in the $125,000 Pippin on Jan. 13 at Oaklawn. The Bayakoa and the Grade 2 Azeri, which will be run March 17, are the remaining stepping-stones to the Apple Blossom.

“If we’re going to go in the big race at the end of the meet, we’ve got to get space in somewhere,” Catalano said Thursday. “Running here, it gives us plenty of time to the Apple Blossom.”

Streamline, the winner of last year’s Azeri, and Terra Promessa, who won last year’s Bayakoa, are part of Saturday’s field. Others set to start include Torrent, the winner of an optional $40,000 claiming route Jan. 26 at Oaklawn, and Sully’s Dream, the winner of the $50,000 Houston Ladies Distaff at Sam Houston.

:: Get bonus PPs for Saturday's Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie card at Laurel Park

Bayakoa (Race 9)

KEY CONTENDERS

Farrell, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 87-85-62

◗ She is seeking her third consecutive win, having taken the Grade 2 Chilukki in November at Churchill Downs in her first start against older horses, then capturing the Pippin. Overall, the filly is 7 for 11, with six victories in stakes.

“She’s a very nice filly – big heart – and has got the family to back it up,” said Catalano.

Farrell is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Carpe Diem, an earner of $1.5 million, and J.B.’s Thunder. She is a four-time Grade 2 winner and has earned $802,077 for breeder and owner Coffee Pot Stable.

◗ Farrell set a pressured pace and prevailed by three-quarters of a length in the Pippin, which marked her first start in two months, her first start at age 4, and her Oaklawn debut.

“She ran a big race,” Catalano said. “She’s developed nicely.”

◗ Farrell will break from post 3 under Channing Hill, who had a riding triple last Saturday at Oaklawn.

“She’s got speed,” Catalano said. “She can go to the front, but she doesn’t have to be on the front.”

Streamline, by Straight Line
Last 3 Beyers: 82-87-88

◗ She rallied for third in the Pippin, 3 1/2 lengths behind Farrell. It was Streamline’s first start since finishing third in the Grade 1 La Troienne on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

“I thought she ran good coming off that long of a layoff,” said Brian Williamson, who trains Streamline for Nancy Vanier and Cartwright Thoroughbreds. “I was happy with it. She didn’t get beat very far first time out since Oaks Day.”

◗ Williamson said he’s since put two more works into Streamline, who will break from post 4 under Gary Stevens.

“It looks like there may be a sloppy track, according to the weather, and I don’t think that hurts her,” said Williamson.

Terra Promessa, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 78-43-97

◗ She was a 4 3/4-length winner of last year’s Bayakoa. It was her fifth win from eight Oaklawn starts.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 5 for Stonestreet Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen.