DEL MAR : Heavy Task for Bayakoa in San Diego ‘Cap

Eclipse Award-winning mare Bayakoa has been assigned high weight of 122 pounds for Saturday’s 49th running of the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.

Bayakoa will take on six male rivals at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The Grade III race, which has never been won by a female, will carry a record purse of $158,300 and a record winner’s share of $81,800.

Bayakoa will be giving from six to 11 pounds to her foes in real weight. And when her five-pound sex allowance from the Jockey Club’s Scale of Weights is thrown into the stew, her theoretical package goes from 11 to 16 pounds in “giveaway” to the three colts and three horses who will test her.

Laffit Pincay Jr. will ride Bayakoa as she attempts to add to her already sizable bankroll of $2,003,167.

Here’s how they’ll line up for the 3-year-old-and-up feature from the rail out:

Bosphorus, 112 pounds, Rafael Meza; Kunjar, 112, Martin Pedroza; Quiet American, 115, Kent Desormeaux; Annual Date, 116, Corey Nakatani; Charlatan, 112, Alex Solis; Bayakoa, and Leger Cat, 111, David Flores.

Two of Bayakoa’s most disappointing efforts were in the Santa Anita Handicap last winter, her only start against males in the United States, and the Chula Vista Handicap against females at Del Mar last summer. Trainer Ron McAnally thinks circumstances will be different this time.

“She loves this track,” McAnally said Thursday. “She just blew out in :58 4/5 yesterday, and galloped out in 1:12. Last year, they were out to get her. She got sandwiched between two fillies, and they set it up for Goodbye Halo. In the Santa Anita Handicap, I ran her back too quickly.”

The 6-year-old Argentinian bred by Consultant’s Bid nonetheless has won four of her six starts this year and nearly half a million dollars.

All told, Bayakoa has won 18 of her 32 starts with seven seconds.

Annual Date was third in his most recent try--the Bel-Air Handicap at Hollywood on July 14, a race won by Prospector’s Gamble. Annual Date is a 4-year-old by Nostalgia who has won five races and $230,483. Last year he registered victories in the Pomona Derby and the Orange County Derby.

Bosphorus, an Argentinian by Logical, has won six of 19 career starts for winnings of $178,339.

Charlatan has finished first in six of his 26 tries for earnings of $261,435. He has been stakes-placed on three occasions this year.

Itsallgreektome, winner of the Grassy Spotlight and Will Rogers Handicaps at Hollywood Park, is expected to head the lineup Sunday in the $100,000-added Grade III La Jolla Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the Del Mar turf.

Corey Nakatani will ride Itsallgreektome and the gray gelding will carry 119 pounds.

Probable rivals for Itsallgreektome include Music Prospector, Gary Stevens, 118; Tight Spot, Eddie Delahoussaye, 118; Forest Glow, Alex Solis, 116; Barton Dene, Laffit Pincay Jr., 113, and Predecessor, Kent Desormeaux, 113.