Bayakoa Field Gets Plenty of Adoration

In the six weeks since the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, two of the nine winners -- remember, there was a dead heat -- have run again.

That’s if what you want to call what Johar and Islington did last weekend in Tokyo running.

Totally uncomfortable with the soggy footing, Johar, who ran the dead heat with High Chaparral in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, finished 16th in the $4-million Japan Cup.

Islington, who won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, didn’t fare much better. She wound up ninth in the field of 18.

Adoration, who shocked the world in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, will become the third winner to return when she takes on seven other fillies and mares in the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Able to dictate things from up front in an Azeri-less Distaff, Adoration, owned by John and Jerry Amerman, was never threatened at nearly 41-1, giving trainer Dave Hofmans his second upset in a Breeders’ Cup race.

Seven years ago at Woodbine, Hofmans saddled Alphabet Soup, a 19-1 longshot who won by a nose in the Classic. Cigar, the 3-5 favorite and reigning horse of the year, was third in the extremely tight finish in what was the last start of his career.

Completely dismissed on Oct. 25, Adoration will be in a different role Sunday. The 4-year-old Honor Grades filly is viewed as the one to beat in the Grade II. “She’s doing great,” Hofmans said. “She is acting fresh and strong.”

Consideration had been given to running Adoration in last week’s Matriarch, a Grade I at a mile on the turf, but she didn’t work particularly well on the surface, so it was decided to wait for the Bayakoa.

“The grass was a little wet for her,” said Hofmans, who won the Bayakoa two years ago with Starrer. “She didn’t handle it real well. She likes firm grass, but we didn’t want to take any chances.”

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At its monthly meeting Thursday , the California Horse Racing Board announced plans to create a committee of industry representatives to consider new security measures, such as detention stalls and surveillance systems in stable areas to monitor the movements of horses entered to race on any given day.

Many in horse racing speculate that some involved are using illegal substances on their horses and that increased security is needed to maintain the integrity of the game.

“I want to begin by saying that our investigative staff is doing a tremendous job with limited resources and our drug-testing laboratories are doing outstanding work,” CHRB chairman Roger Licht said.

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Mr. Jester ($30.60) outlasted Fire Slam and California shipper Perfect Moon to win the $1 million Delta Jackpot on Friday night at Delta Downs.

A 2-year-old son of Silver Deputy owned by Kaaren and Hays Biggs and trained by Steve Wren, Mr. Jester won for the fourth time in six starts. Ridden by Roman Chapa, he completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.34.

Cooperation, part of an entry trained by Bob Baffert, finished fourth under jockey Alex Solis.