Bayakoa Assigned High Weight of 127 in Chula Vista Handicap

Bayakoa, who was scratched once this year because her connections did not like the weight assignment, has been assigned high weight of 127 for the $158,000 Chula Vista Handicap at Del Mar on Saturday.

That means the 6-year-old, which was the 1989 Eclipse Award-winning mare, will concede from 13 to 17 pounds to her six rivals in the Grade II race for fillies and mares ages 3 and up.

The Argentine-bred horse was scratched from the $200,000 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park on July 15 because owner Frank Whitham and trainer Ron McAnally did not like the fact that she was assigned four pounds more than a rival who had beaten her in an earlier race.

Laffit Pincay Jr., who has ridden Bayakoa in most of her races, will be aboard this time.

Bayakoa has won four of seven races this year, with a pair of seconds. Two of her losses have come when she’s taken on colts, most recently in the San Diego Handicap here on Aug. 4 when she finished second to Quiet American.

Bayakoa has won more than $2 million, which is far more than her six rivals combined.

Bayakoa ran in the Chula Vista last year, but could not handle a furious speed duel and finished well behind Goodbye Halo.