As a result of the high weight assignments, her connections decided to skip the Vanity Handicap (in which she would have carried 128 pounds) and instead tried her against male horses in the San Diego Handicap where she carried 122 pounds. She raced well but could not hold off Quiet American, who carried only 115 pounds. "It's a thrill to beat a horse like her", said Quiet American's jockey Kent Desormeaux. "All you ever hear is Bayakoa. We beat the filly of the world."