A.P. Adventure Returns in Bayakoa Handicap

A.P. Adventure, who began her career with three consecutive wins before losses in the Santa Anita and Kentucky Oaks, makes her first start in more than seven months in today’s $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park.

A Grade II at 1 1/16 miles, the Bayakoa drew seven other fillies and mares, including Hollywood Story, who picked up her lone win in 11 starts in last year’s Hollywood Starlet.

Owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis and trained by Wally Dollase, A.P. Adventure, a $425,000 2-year-old purchase, hasn’t run since finishing sixth of 11 in the Kentucky Oaks, beaten 9 1/4 lengths by Ashado, the eventual Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner and soon to be crowned the champion 3-year-old filly.

Before her two losses, A.P. Adventure, a daughter of A.P. Indy out of the Fappiano mare Nataliano, had beaten maidens by five lengths, won the Santa Ysabel by 3 1/2 lengths, then edged Hollywood Story by a half-length to win the Las Virgenes, a Grade I, on Feb. 15 at Santa Anita.

Making her first start in Inglewood, A.P. Adventure will break from the inside post and will be ridden by Mike Smith.

Besides Hollywood Story, other contenders in the Bayakoa include Royally Chosen and Miss Loren.

Race of the day: Hollywood Park specialist Revello will try for his fifth win in 12 tries over the track against eight others in today’s sixth, a $43,000 optional claimer at seven furlongs. Jon Court will ride the 6-year-old Memo gelding for owner Jeffrey Sengara and trainer Ted H. West.

One for the road: Sunrise At Six adds Lasix for her second start and should get plenty of pace to chase in the fourth at Aqueduct. Aaron Gryder will ride the 2-year-old Salt Lake filly in the $41,000 maiden affair at six furlongs for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

Sunrise At Six, who was purchased for $25,000 in September 2003 at Keeneland, is owned in part by New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Fantastic Year and Excessiveobsession in the fifth, Revello in the sixth and Hortense, Argentinisma, Lady General, Our Fling and Scarlett Memories in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/80. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18.40/$446.80. Total money bet: $494.