Bayakoa Stakes Returns at Los Al, Futurity Purse Drops

A return of the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) and a $100,000 purse reduction to the Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity (G2) are the key changes to the Los Alamitos Race Course stakes schedule for its eight-day winter Thoroughbred meet Dec. 5-15.

Now with a $200,000 purse, the Los Alamitos Futurity is the second richest race of the meet, trailing the $300,000 Starlet Stakes (G1). Both are 1 1/16-mile races Dec. 7.  The Los Alamitos Futurity carried a $300,000 purse in 2018 when won by Improbable, who later ran fourth as the favorite in this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Prior to the purse reduction, the race was downgraded for 2019 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

Nominations closed this summer for the Starlet Stakes (G1) and Los Alamitos Futurity, though supplemental nominations can be made at the time of entry for $10,000 and $7,500, respectively. Nominees to the Starlet include Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Chandelier (G1) heroine Bast, Phone Chatter Stakes winner Quality Response, and recent Anoakia Stakes winner Leucothea. The nominees to the Futurity are headed by American Pharoah (G1) winner Eight Rings, Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) upsetter Nucky, and recent maiden winners High Velocity and Honor A.P.

Other stakes for 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos are for horses bred or sired in California: the $100,000 Soviet Problem for fillies Dec. 14 and the open $100,000 King Glorious Dec. 15.

Last run as a grade 2 for $200,000 at Los Alamitos in 2017 when it won by Majestic Heat, the 1 1/16-mile Bayakoa will be contested Dec. 8.