‘Monster’ filly Don’t Tell Sophia wins Bayakoa

— Don’t Tell Sophia this, but she’s really good on dirt.

In another devastating performance, Don’t Tell Sophia romped to a record 61/2-length victory in the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes for older fillies and mares Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn Park.

A 5-year-old daughter of Congaree, co-owned and trained by Phil Sims, Don’t Tell Sophia won for the third consecutive time andremained perfect in four career starts on dirt.

Don’t Tell Sophia was coming off a record-breaking 71/4-length victory in the $75,000 Pippin Stakes on Jan. 19.

“This horse is a monster,” Sims said.

She’s All In f inished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 6-5 favorite Tiz Miz Sue, who was making her 2013 debut.

It was another 7 3/4 lengths back to Minesave in fourth. Bahama Bound was last. Itsbeautifulthing and One Last Dance were scratched.

Don’t Tell Sophia, who was ridden for the first time by Robby Albarado, paid $5, $3.20 and $2.10 as the 3-2 second choice. She’s All In paid $3.40 and $2.20. Tiz Miz Sue paid $2.20.

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Don’t Tell Sophia ran 1 /16 miles over a fast track in a meet-best 1:44.

The previous largest margin of victory in the Bayakoa was 5 3/4 lengths in 2008 by Buy the Barrell.

“She’s a big filly,” Albarado said. “In a five-horse field, I just wanted to keep her out of trouble. She just exploded in the stretch. I look for herto have a very big year.”

Albarado’s only anxious moment occurred approaching the second turn when he had to guide Don’t Tell Sophia inside a tiring Bahama Bound and outside front-running Minesave.

Still on cruise control, Don’t Tell Sophia accelerated to the front near the threeeighths pole and drew off without Albarado ever moving his stick.

“Going into the far turn, turning for home, she just goes,” Sims said. “Nobody ever passes her. I don’t know why. She’s a big filly, though,her strides.”

Tiz Miz Sue, a multiple stakes winner of almost $700,000, was making her first start since finishing fifth in the $500,000 Grade I Spinster on Oct. 7 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

She was trying to give trainer Steve Hobby of Hot Springs his 999th career victory.

“I don’t know if we could have beaten her on our best day,” Hobby said, referring to Don’t Tell Sophia.

Don’t Tell Sophia bumped her career earnings to $243,606 following her sixthvictory in 12 lifetime starts.

Sims purchased Don’t Tell Sophia for only $1,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, then sold 50 percent of the mare last year to Jerry Namy, a petroleum company executive from Fort Worth.

Sims said Don’t Tell Sophia will be pointed for the $150,000 Grade III Azeri Stakes on March 16.

If she passes that test, it’s most likely on to the $500,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap on April 12, Sims said.

Sports, Pages 30 on 02/17/2013

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