Go Google Yourself wins Oaklawn’s Bayakoa Stakes off the layoff

With a steady rally down the center of the track, Go Google Yourself nabbed Whoa Nellie in deep stretch Monday to win Oaklawn Park’s Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes.

The Jay Em Ess Stable homebred entered the 1 1/16-mile feature for older fillies and mares off a layoff dating back to November, when she was second in Churchill Downs’ Falls City Handicap (G2).

Go Google Yourself, a 5-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, appeared to benefit from a rank Whoa Nellie. The local Pippin Stakes winner in her last start was keen to go earlier, making a middle move up the back stretch before challenging pace setter Lady Suebee into the far turn.

After 3/4 of a mile in 1:11.96, Whoa Nellie was into the stretch in control but just tired as the 6-5 favorite. Go Google Yourself got the head bob in a tight decision under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., finishing in 1:43.65.

"It was a great race," said trainer Paul McGee. "...This filly, she's just real classy and really game. I thought Brian rode a great race."

McGee didn't think his mare had it until inside the 1/16th pole.

"Most of the time, Larry Jones' horses are hard to run down," Hernandez Jr. added.

Go Google Yourself made the Bayakoa her seventh career victory in 19 starts. Cairenn was a distant third and Motion Emotion fourth in the field of six.

The Bayakoa precedes Oaklawn’s more lucrative events for older fillies and mares, the $350,000 Azeri (G2) on March 14 before the $1 million Apple Blossom (G1) on April 18.

McGee said both races are options for Go Google Yourself, who increased her earnings Monday to $639,625.