The ultra-consistent California-bred millionaire Dream of Summer will carry high weight of 122 in the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) Sunday, a race that drew four grade or group I winners at Hollywood Park.
A winner of 10 of 17 starts, Dream of Summer is one of 13 entered for the Bayakoa, including stakes-record holder Star Parade, the 2003 winner in the 1 1/16-mile event for fillies and mares.
James Weigel's Dream of Summer is coming off a decisive victory in the $150,000 California Cup Matron Handicap at Santa Anita Nov. 6, a win that elevated her earnings to seven figures at $1,041,150. Patrick Valenzuela will be back aboard for trainer Juan Garcia.
Island Fashion, looking to become a multi-millionaire, carries second high weight of 119 pounds and jockey Garrett Gomez as she attempts to bounce back from a disappointing effort when tenth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 29. She'll start from the extreme outside, however.
Star Parade, a multiple grade I winner who set the stakes standard of 1:41.02 two years ago, was assigned 116 pounds and will have Martin Pedroza in the saddle while racing in her 16th consecutive grade I or II stakes event.
Halo Ola, imported from Argentina earlier this year, won a pair of group I races in her native country, but is winless so far in six U.S. starts. With Alex Solis in the saddle, she will be making her first start over the main Hollywood Park track. Halo Ola was victorious in an Argentine group II while racing on dirt.
Victor Espinoza will be in search of his third straight Bayakoa win aboard 4-year-old filly Girl Warrior for trainer Neil Drysdale. After winning four of six starts in the U.S., the Kentucky-bred import from England was assigned 117 pounds. Girl Warrior counts Santa Anita's El Encino Stakes (gr. II) last January among her four victories in 10 starts for owner Anthony Speelman.
Dream of Summer, a 6-year-old gray daughter of Siberian Summer, won seven of her first nine starts. She has been off the board but three times in her 17 races, once when she was eased while racing erratically in her only start on grass. She captured April's Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park with Valenzuela in the saddle.
Island Fashion, a 5-year-old gray, enjoyed a spectacular run nearly two years ago when taking back-to-back grade I stakes at Santa Anita, the La Brea and Santa Monica Handicap, before running second to Southern Image in the 2004 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). She has amassed earnings of $1,947,970 for owner Jeffrey Nielsen from a 6-5-1 record in 26 starts.
However, the
Petionville mare, trained by Marcelo Polanco, has lost her last eleven starts.
Star Parade also has undergone a victory drought. Winless in her last nine, the 6-year-old Argentine-bred bay last reached the winner's circle in the 2004 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park. It was her second grade I win in a career that includes a 6-7-4 mark in 26 starts for earnings of $845,419. Darrell Vienna trains Star Parade for Gary Tanaka.
$150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II, Race 8, 4:05 p.m.), fillies & mares 3 & up, 1 1/16 milesPP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Nossa Cancao (BRZ), 114, Omar Berrio
2. Girl Warrior (KY), 117, Victor Espinoza
3. A Song in A Minor (KY), 114, Kerwin John
4. Halo Ola (ARG), 117, Alex Solis
5. Cream Donut Keith (NJ), 110, Javier Santiago
6. Dream of Summer (CA), 122, Patrick Valenzuela
7. Star Parade (ARG), 116, Martin Pedroza
8. Somethinaboutlaura (CA), 113, David Flores
9. Proposed (CA), 112, Jon Court
10. I Can Yodele (CA), 111, Felipe Martinez
11. Fast Navy (BRZ), 112, David Cohen
12. Sparkling Humor (KY), 114, Tyler Baze
13. Island Fashion (KY), 119, Garrett Gomez
