HOLLYWOOD PARK : Five Rivals to Challenge Bayakoa in Hawthorne

Five rivals will challenge Bayakoa, 1989 Eclipse Award winner as champion older filly or mare, in Saturday’s $107,400 Hawthorne Handicap at one mile on Hollywood Park’s main track.

Bayakoa, who was assigned 125 pounds for the Hawthorne, will be seeking to end a two-race losing streak that commenced against male competition in the Santa Anita Handicap and extended to the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park last month, when she was upset by Gorgeous.

Trainer Ron McAnally is confident that the 6-year-old mare, winner of more than $1.4 million last year, will return to top form at the track where she won three stakes, including the Hawthorne last year. Laffit Pincay Jr. will ride.

Bayakoa’s primary challenger may be Stormy But Valid, a winner of four stakes since last winter including the recent A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood Park. The 4-year-old filly, trained by Brian Mayberry, will carry 119 pounds, including Eddie Delahoussaye.

The complete field, in post position order: Fantastic Look (Chris McCarron), 115; T.V. Of Crystal (Pat Valenzuela), 114; Hot Novel (Robbie Davis), 115; Stormy But Valid (Eddie Delahoussaye), 119; Bayakoa (Pincay), 125, and Dearly Loved (Alex Solis), 116.