Adoration, the hunter in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), will become the hunted in the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park next Sunday.Trainer David Hofmans, who sent out the 4-year-old filly to a 40-1 upset victory in the $2-million Distaff at Santa Anita Oct. 25, is optimistic that she will handle her new role as the probable favorite."She is really doing well since the Breeders' Cup and had a nice six-furlong work in 1:12 and change Thursday at Santa Anita," said Hofmans Sunday from his Santa Anita base. "Adoration will come over today and work Wednesday or Thursday." Owner John Amerman, on a stable visit with his wife and daughter, said that Adoration would remain in training next year at 5. "She is lightly raced; she has had only 14 starts," said Amerman. "She will continue to race next year."Adoration has won five of 14 starts and earned $1,413,856. She is unbeaten in two outings on the Hollywood Park main track, including the Hollywood Breeders' Cup Oaks. Patrick Valenzuela has the call back.In a statistical oddity, Hofmans and Valenzuela have each won the Bayakoa with the retired Starrer, but not together. Hofmans won the race in 2001 with Jerry Bailey. Valenzuela won the race last year after the filly was transferred to John Shirreffs.Other probable starters in the 11/16-mile Bayakoa are Angel Gift (Jose Valdivia, Jr.), Bare Necessities, Keys To The Heart, Southern Oasis and Star Parade (Victor Espinoza).Possibles are Blind Ambition, Sparkling Ava, Summer Wind Dancer and Woodlass.
Bare Necessities worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:12 1/5 at Hollywood for Wally Dollase, while Summer Wind Dancer drilled the same distance in 1:13 3/5 at Santa Anita for Jenine Sahadi.