She was then shipped to Belmont Park in New York for the Ruffian Handicap on September 24, where she faced an excellent field including Open Mind, who had won 10 straight races including the New York fillies triple crown. After setting a slow early pace, Bayakoa won easily by lengths. "This is a very nice filly," said Pincay. "I knew they were coming at me, but I had a lot of horse left." Open Mind's connections felt that they could have won if Bayakoa was not allowed to set a slow pace.