Asmussen maiden Fusa Code takes Borderland Derby
Fusa Code might have put himself on the fast track to next month’s Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby, when he won his maiden in the local prep, the $100,000 Borderland Derby. He drove to a three-quarter-length win over stakes winner Behold de Buy in the race run Saturday, while it was another nose back in third to favorite Special Kid.
Fusa Code ($16.60) had finished third to Special Kid in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita in his last out Feb. 3. He was making his fifth career start in the Borderland, and stalked leader Orion Xpress through an opening six furlongs in 1:13. Fusa Code overtook that one, as well as Special Kid, in the stretch and covered the mile and a sixteenth on a fast track in 1:45.06.
Justin Shepherd rode the winner for Bob and Cathy Zollars and trainer Steve Asmussen.
Fusa Code was the lone Triple Crown nominee in the Borderland, which figures to produce starters for the Sunland Park Derby on March 27. He is a son of Fusaichi Pegasus and the mare Lasting Code, who also won her maiden in a stakes.
Fusa Code earned $60,000 for the win in the Borderland.