Pacific Wind rides sharp optional-claiming win into Bayakoa

After five starts on turf, Pacific Wind ran on dirt for the first time Oct. 21, winning an optional claimer at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old filly will not go back to turf anytime soon.

Sunday at Los Alamitos, Pacific Wind will start in the Grade 2 Bayakoa Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The $200,000 Bayakoa will be Pacific Wind’s first start in a stakes against older fillies and mares.

Pacific Wind closed from fifth in the optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles to win by 1 3/4 lengths. That victory gave trainer Peter Eurton the confidence to start Pacific Wind in the Bayakoa.

“She was always good,” he said. “I think she’s grown up and has gotten on a surface that she likes better.”

:: Get Cyber Monday discounts on PPs, digital subscriptions, and more!

Earlier this year, Pacific Wind was third in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes and Grade 2 Honeymoon Stakes on turf for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita. She was ninth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on turf in August.

Pacific Wind had her final workout for the Bayakoa on Sunday at Santa Anita, going five furlongs in 1:00.20. The time was the fastest of 11 works at the distance.

The Bayakoa Stakes must draw a field of six to be carded, per an agreement between track officials and the Thoroughbred Owners of California struck earlier this year. As of Sunday, a field of at least six was likely, including the Eurton-trained Champagne Room, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2016.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said he was considering the race for It Tiz Well, who was pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 3 at Del Mar but was not entered because of a foot ailment. Champagne Room was sixth in the BC Distaff. Bernina Star, Madame Stripes, Shenandoah Queen, and the Hollendorfer-trained Street Surrender are possible runners.

Eurton said he also nominated Girl Downstairs for the Bayakoa and would not hesitate to have three runners if it meant the race would be run.

The first stakes of the Los Alamitos meeting is Saturday’s $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at a mile. One Fast Broad, winner of the Golden State Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 3 at Del Mar, is expected to be favored. Sunday at Santa Anita, One Fast Broad worked a half-mile on the training track under foggy conditions, according to owner and trainer Mick Ruis. Clockers did not give her a time, said Ruis, who timed One Fast Broad in 49 seconds.