Seaway Stakes Goes the Way of Code Warrior
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Photo: Michael Burns
Code Warrior wins the Seaway Stakes at Woodbine
Zilli Racing Stables' Code Warrior had the $125,000 Seaway Stakes (G3) wrapped up as soon as the gates opened Aug. 26.
Under jockey Jesse Campbell, the 5-year-old daughter of Society's Chairman sprang out of post 9 and took command to lead the 10-horse field through fractions of :23.30, :46.33, and 1:09.91 in the first six furlongs of the seven-furlong race at Woodbine.
As the field of fillies and mares 3 and older bunched up around the turn to take their best shot at the leader, Code Warrior strode out confidently. The two-time Hendrie Stakes (G3) winner opened up on the field when she was asked by Campbell, but then geared down near the wire to win by two lengths over a fast-closing Thundering Sky. Final time over the all-weather track was 1:22.35.
Campbell, who was aboard for his first stakes win of the meet, said there was "only one plan: go."
The winner paid $16.90, $7.80, and $5.50. Runner-up Thundering Sky returned $7.80 and $6.20, and Malibu Bonnie finished third and paid $10.30.
Code Warrior, who started the 2018 season with a score in the Abundantia Stakes at Gulfstream Park, has been unsuccessful at the grade 2 level. The Michael De Paulo trainee placed second in the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) as a 3-year-old when she was trained by Manuel Badilla but has not come that close in two other efforts. She came into the Seaway off a ninth-place finish in the Royal North Stakes (G2T) at six furlongs on firm turf.
"This filly has run two turns before, and I think she can probably do that," noted De Paulo.
Purchased by Robert Marzilli at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Code Warrior has three wins and a second from six stakes starts this year for her new owners.
"I think she can run on the grass, she can run on the poly, she can even run on the dirt," said De Paulo. "We followed her a long time and we were finally able to buy her, and so far it's been a great result."
Bred by Pamela Edel in Florida, Code Warrior is out of the Runaway Groom mare Lady Natalie. She improved her record to 7-4-3 from 21 starts, with earnings of $402,242.