Romance Is Diane sprinted to the lead and held off a bid from game
runner-up Tough Tiz’s Sis to win the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap
(G2) on Saturday and establish a track record on the all-weather
Cushion Track at Hollywood Park.
Romance Is Diane entered off a 61/4-length romp in the California
Cup Matron Handicap on November 3 during the Oak Tree meeting
at Santa Anita Park. Sent off as the 5-to-2 third choice as one of three Grade 1
winners in the five-horse Bayakoa field, the three-year-old In Excess (Ire)
filly broke alertly under jockey Michael Baze and powered to the
front in the 11/16-mile race.
Romance Is Diane streaked through an opening quarter in :22.82
stalked by Grade 1 winners Sugar Shake and Tough Tiz’s Sis, both of
whom have had success racing on or near the lead.
Sugar Shake dropped back nearing the far turn after Romance Is
Diane drilled a testing half-mile in :45.39. Tough Tiz’s Sis drove forward
to challenge the pacesetter approaching the stretch.
Tough Tiz’s Sis closed on the outside, but Romance Is Diane responded
gamely to the challenge and fought off that foe to prevail by
one length in 1:40.90.
The previous Cushion Track record was 1:41.27 set by Curiously
Sweet on November 24, 2007.—Mike Curry
BAYAKOA H. (G2)
Hollywood Park, December 1, $150,000, 3yo up, f&m, 8.5f all weather, fast, 1:40.90.
ROMANCE IS DIANE, 115, Dk b. or br. f. 3, In Excess (Ire) iSD—Romantic
Fibs, by Prized. Owner, Senji Nishimura; breeder, Swan Equine Service
Co. (Ca.); trainer, Mike R. Mitchell; jockey, Michael C. Baze. $90,000.
Lifetime: 11-5-1-1, $597,660. Full to ROMANCEISHOPE(G2, $539,082).
Tough Tiz’s Sis 120, B. f. 3, Tiznow iSD—Leaseholder, by Taylor’s Falls.
Owner, Watson and Weitman Performances LLC; breeder, Gary Tussey
(Ky.); trainer, Bob Baffert. $30,000.
Fonce De (Fr) 114, Gr or Ro. m. 5, =Smadoun (Fr)—Pro Lina (Fr), by
=Linamix (Fr). Owner, Fab Oak Stable; breeder, S.C. Ecurie Ouaki Fabien
(Fr); trainer, Jenine Sahadi. $18,000.
Margins: 1, 2, 1; Odds: 2.50, 1.90, 23.60.
Also ran: Grain of Truth (GB) 119 ($9,000), Sugar Shake 120 ($3,000).
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