She’s a Julie at new venue for Bayakoa

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – She’s a Julie is the most accomplished runner in the Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa on Monday at Oaklawn Park. She also has more speed than most of her rivals, which could give her a tactical advantage.

But despite the variables of class and pace in her corner, She’s a Julie still has a question to answer Monday.

“She’s training really well, and I think she’ll run well,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “It’s her first run here, though. First run at Oaklawn’s always a little interesting.”

The Bayakoa’s field of 10 fillies and mares also includes the stakes winners Moonlit Garden, Dutch Parrot, and Sydney Freeman. The 1 1/16mile stakes is part of a 10-race card that includes a pair of Grade 3, $500,000 races in the Southwest and Razorback Handicap. The forecast is for partly cloudy skies and a high of 48 degrees, according to AccuWeather.

BAYAKOA (RACE 7) KEY CONTENDERS

She’s a Julie, by Elusive Quality Last 3 Beyers: 82-88-91

◗ She’s a two-time Grade 3 winner, having taken last year’s Iowa Oaks and Remington Park Oaks. She’s a Julie also ran second in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga last year. She closed out her season with a fourthplace finish in the $250,000 Zia Park Oaks on Nov. 21.

“I thought she had a long, traveling year for a 3-year-old filly and ran some extremely good races,” said Asmussen. “Her last race of the year wasn’t her best, so she’s had a little freshening since then and has trained really well.”

◗ She’s a Julie leads the field in earnings with $460,530. She races for Whispering Oaks Farm, Team Hanley, Bradley Thoroughbreds, and Madaket Stables. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 6 on She’s a Julie, who could set the pace or track rivals Remedy and Moonlit Garden.

Moonlit Garden, by Malibu Moon Last 3 Beyers: 89-77-39

◗ She is coming off a runnerup finish to multiple Grade 1 winner Midnight Bisou in the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 27 at Sam Houston. Last year, Moonlit Garden became a stakes winner in the $97,000 Summer Colony, a restricted race at Saratoga.

◗ Jose Ortiz, who was aboard for the Summer Colony win and for the Houston Ladies Classic, has the mount for trainer Christopher Davis. Moonlit Garden drew the widest post in gate 10.

Dutch Parrot, by Eskendereya Last 3 Beyers: 82-81-84

◗ Arkansas-bred mare is back in her home state after running third in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap on Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. David Cohen has the mount for trainer Will Van Meter.