Oaklawn Park: Don’t Tell Sophia dominates Bayakoa Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – In a display of class and dominance, Don’t Tell Sophia won the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park in hand Sunday, cruising home by three lengths over Dixie Strike. It was Don’t Tell Sophia’s second straight win in the race and her second consecutive stakes victory, following a score in the $100,000 Pippin here in January.

The Bayakoa is a stepping-stone to the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn on April 11, the meet objective for Don’t Tell Sophia. She established herself as the race’s leading local contender Sunday, using last-to-first tactics for another sweeping, easy win in the race she won by 6 1/2 lengths last year.

“A mare like this will get you spoiled,” said Channing Hill, who was aboard Don’t Tell Sophia on Sunday for trainer Phil Sims.

Don’t Tell Sophia ($2.80) broke a step slow from the rail as Sisterly Love jumped out to the lead and took the field through fractions of 23.12 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.68 for the half-mile, and 1:12.43 for six furlongs, pushed along by Fully Living. Don’t Tell Sophia, meanwhile, began to pick off rivals midway down the backside, advanced three wide on the final turn, and was in command approaching the eighth pole.

“She really ran from the three-eighths pole to the quarter pole and really just idled from there,” Hill said.

Don’t Tell Sophia covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.78.

Sister Ginger finished a length behind Dixie Strike in third.

Don’t Tell Sophia, who is co-owned by Sims and Jerry Namy, will be pointed for the Grade 3, $200,000 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn on March 15, the final local prep for the Apple Blossom. She earned $60,000 for the win Sunday, her ninth from 19 starts. She has banked $592,882.