Bayakoa, a bay daughter of Consultant's Bid, was bred by Haras Principal and foaled in Argentina on October 10, 1984. Her dam, Arlucea, had won the Pr. Caballerizas Argentinas in 1977. Arlucea's sire, Good Manners, was a stakes winning son of Nashua and the good broodmare Fun House, winner of the Del Mar Oaks, the Santa Susana Stakes, and the Ramona Handicap. Fun House was the dam of six stakes winners.

Trained by O.L. Finarelli, Bayakoa made her first start on February 15, 1987. She gained the lead quickly but couldn't hold it, tiring to finish second. Nearly two months later she tried again, this time with better results, and she wired a field of maidens.

Stepping up into Group I company, she couldn't sustain her early lead and finished sixth in the Jorge de Atucha on May 17. Her next start, a month later at San Isidro, was on the turf, and she won by four lengths.

Put against Group I performers again, she finished out of the money in Argentina's 1000 Guineas. Jorge Machado took over her training before the Polla de Potrancas, a Group I event at Hipodromo, and the filly performed better, finishing a strong second.

She ws second again in the San Isidro, a Group I handicap on the turf, and then she cantered to a twelve length victory in the Palermo Stakes despite a muddy surface. This caught the attention of trainer Ron McAnally, who brought her to California.

The filly was a highly anxious individual who required a tranquil environment and a soothing touch to prevent her self destruction.

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