Oaklawn Park Saturday, February 5: Bayakoa Stakes Preview

Monomoy Girl wins the 2021 Bayakoa at Oaklawn Park

In 2021 Monomoy Girl won the Bayakoa at Oaklawn Park (there is a stake with the same name at Los Alamitos). In 2022 7 runners will look to claim the crown.

As of the writing of this article there are no morning line odds on the races. However, the Oaklawn Park morning line is notorious for being highly inaccurate so that probably actually helps horseplayers paint a more accurate picture of the horses’ chances in the race.

Players are always encouraged to cross check the numbers listed in this article against the Equibase entries to ensure accuracy.

Bayakoa Stakes Analysis

Bayakoa becomes a Breeders’ Cup Champion in 1989.

The Bayokoa is unique in that it is one of the few names that is attached to multiple thoroughbred stakes races around the country. Along with the Grade 3 Oaklawn Park Bayakoa Stakes, Los Alamitos also has a grade 3 event named after hall of fame Argentina bred.

Oaklawn Park Race 9

Post: 5:21 PM CT; Purse: $250,000 Bayakoa S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

Queen Goddess looks to have a huge chance in the Bayakoa from Oaklawn Park.
Queen Goddess looks to have a strong hand in the Bayakoa.
  • #5 QUEEN GODDESS is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
  • #6 MATERA is worth a look here given the connections & record at the distance.
  • #1 MISS BIGLY is in with a great chance based on the likely pace setup of this race
  • #2 COACH has been a pretty consistent runner who wouldn’t be a total shock to get the job done here.

Selections: 5-6-1-2

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Oaklawn Park Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM CT; Purse: $25,500 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 10

  • #1A RAVENS REFLECTION has a great shot in the race given the speed & pace numbers.
  • #2 ITS MY BAG BABY comes in signaling a big performance in this spot.
  • #1 TRUE SAINT has kept good company of late and comes as a package deal with the entry mate.
  • #6 EL VENUE may be one of the front runners early. the outside draw is actually a blessing for this one as the inside has not been the place to be during the meet.

Selections: 1A-2-1-6 (Best Bet: #1A RAVENS REFLECTION)

Oaklawn Park Race 2

Post: 1:35 PM CT; Purse: $25,000 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

  • #1 ABDAN looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
  • #2 CONFESS is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance.
  • #3 SLIMER is a first time starter and sometimes in these ranks, the ones that haven’t learned to lose are the ones that are likeliest to win.
  • #12 WORTHTHEMONEY goes out for connections that make this one a respectable prospect.

Selections: 1-2-3-12

Oaklawn Park Race 3

Post: 2:08 PM CT; Purse: $25,500 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8

  • #8 PERSISTO comes into the race signaling a big performance
  • #2 DESCENTE is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
  • #4 SOCIAL CIRCLE has connections that wouldn’t make this one a total surprise to get the job done.
  • #3 CREDIT ENHANCEMENT will look to get an advantageous pace setup in this spot.

Selections: 8-2-4-3

Oaklawn Park Race 4

Post: 2:37 PM CT; Purse: $27,000 Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 10

  • #6 EAGLE PASS has the best speed figures of the lot and is a major player.
  • #4 CAPTURE THE GLORY has pace numbers to suggest this one will be forwardly placed throughout.
  • #5 RIVER CACTUS looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
  • #3 SLICK SILVER will look to get the right setup to get by the leaders late.

Selections: 6-4-5-3

Oaklawn Park Race 5

Post: 3:09 PM CT; Purse: $101,000 Allowance, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

  • #3 ATOKA should have no problem carrying the speed through the six furlongs and could get the dream trip today.
  • #8 WHISKEY DOUBLE has the top overall power in the group and that has to be respected in this field.
  • #5 AMERICAN MANDATE should be in a good spot early to cash a check in this race.
  • #6 ROYAL DAAHER owns the top speed figures in the race and makes sense in this spot.

Selections: 3-8-5-6

Oaklawn Park Race 6

Post: 3:42 PM CT; Purse: $34,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

  • #2 COLONEL BOWMAN is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
  • #7 ALL THE DIAMONDS looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
  • #3 BRAD'S TIME merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & form.
  • #6 SPECIAL PRYCE has the top record at the distance and could at least be in the number when all is said and done.

Selections: 2-7-3-6

Oaklawn Park Race 7

Post: 4:15 PM CT; Purse: $84,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

  • #4 STRATOFORTRESS is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow.
  • #11 TENTH OF GOLD is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
  • #3 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating.
  • #6 WE THE PEOPLE is the most intriguing of the first time starters in this spot.

Selections: 4-11-3-6

Oaklawn Park Race 8

Post: 4:47 PM CT; Purse: $100,000 Allowance, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 10

  • #9 BAROSSA is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
  • #7 RUGGS has to be respected based on the connections.
  • #4 WE ALL SEE IT is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers.
  • #8 LONG CROW is signaling a big performance here.

Selections: 9-7-4-8

Oaklawn Park Race 9

Post: 5:21 PM CT; Purse: $250,000 Bayakoa S., 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

Bayakoa Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 5-6-1-2

Oaklawn Park Race 10

Post: 5:52 PM CT; Purse: $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 14

  • #12 MO CHOCTAW merits consideration in this spot given the edge in speed figures. The post is a bit tricky, but not the end of the world at Oaklawn Park.
  • #14 CAPTAIN DON could be ready to pop a big performance based on the current form cycle.
  • #1 MRS. BEANS has the top power rating in the group, but the rail has been a tough spot to be throughout the meet.
  • #7 OJITOS has the best record at the distance and makes a lot of sense here.

Selections: 12-14-1-7

Betting News Free Handicapping Tools

By the time the races kick off on Saturday, Oaklawn Park will already be 9 races into their weekend. To get help with Friday’s action from Oaklawn don’t forget to check out the Betting News free handicapping tools.

By Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.