Zardana gives Shirreffs fifth win in Bayakoa Handicap as trainer’s females continue huge year

Zardana wins Bayakoa, gives Shirreffs another win

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Brazilian-bred mare Zardana rallied to win the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park on Saturday, giving trainer John Shirreffs a record fifth victory in the race.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, the 5-year-old long shot sat third on the back stretch in the field of 10 fillies and mares, moved up to second in the homestretch and beat Silver Swallow by 1¼ lengths, covering 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.24.

Zardana paid $24, $9.80 and $6.20. Silver Swallow paid $5.40 and $3.80. Cat by the Tale returned $4.40 to show.

The favorite, Teamgeist, was never a factor and finished sixth.

Zardana’s win continued a huge year for females from Shirreffs barn. His 4-year-old filly Life is Sweet won the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic on Nov. 6, and the next day 5-year-old Zenyatta completed one of the greatest years ever for a mare, beating the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to retire at 14-0.

Shirreffs won the Bayakoa twice with Manistique in 1998 and 1999, with Starrer in 2002 and with Hollywood Story in 2004.

Zardana has won seven times in 17 starts and earned $293,421.