Bayakoa Repeat for Don't Tell Sophia

Don’t Tell Sophia wasn’t in a hurry leaving the gate, but she quickly got herself into gear and easily drew off to win her second straight $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes Sunday by three lengths. Last year, the heavy 2-to-5 favorite won both the Pippin and Bayakoa Stakes  at Oaklawn and she had previously repeated her Pippin victory Jan. 18.

Breaking from the one hole, Don’t Tell Sophia was last of 10 early as Sisterly Love set the early tempo of 23 and 46 3/5 for the first half mile. The winner had moved into fourth after six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 and by the time the field had straightened out for home, the only race left was for second place, which went to the late running Dixie Strike. Sister Ginger, also third in the Pippin, held the show spot. The winning time was 1:44 3/5 for the 1 1/16 miles over the fast track.

“She’s an awful nice mare,” said trainer Phil Sims, who co-owns the mare with Jerry Namy. “It’s tough to win two races in a row. I appreciate all the support we got from the fans.”

“That was fun,” added winning jockey Channing Hill. “She always gives you a lot of confidence. She picked it right up at the ½-mile pole and did it all on her own.”

Don’t Tell Sophia, a 6-year-old Congaree mare, improved her record to 9-4-2 from 19 starts and has now earned $592,882. She returned $2.80, $2.40 and $2.20.