Loved back for more in G3 Bayakoa Stakes

Loved looks to pick up where she left off in 2024 as she goes for consecutive G3 wins in the Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park, USA, on Saturday, 8 February.

The half-sister to Maxfield gained the biggest win of her career in the G3 Falls City Stakes at Churchill Downs in November, when she beat Tarifa by nearly four lengths on a muddy track.  

Trained by Brendan Walsh, Loved has won five of her 10 starts and the Medaglia d’Oro six-year-old finished fourth behind Champion sprinter Idiomatic in last season’s G1 Spinster Stakes.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Loved has had the Bayakoa as her target since she her most impressive performance in the G3 Falls City. Tyler Gaffalione is coming in to maintain his partnership with her from his base at Gulfstream.

“Loved has continued to please Brendan, despite missing some training days in January due to the inclement weather. She has thrived since being based at Turfway and being able to use the synthetic surface daily. She can’t be doing any better and we expect a big performance from her. If she runs to expectation, consideration will be given to try the G1 Apple Blossom in the Spring.”