Code Warrior loses blinkers for Bessarabian Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Code Warrior will look to strengthen her credentials for year-end honors as Canada’s champion female sprinter in Sunday’s Grade 2, $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes over seven furlongs on Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Code Warrior has won two graded stakes this year, including the seven-furlong Grade 3 Seaway Stakes here in August. In her last two starts, the Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters and the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion, Code Warrior set quick paces before finishing off the board. Trainer Mike De Paulo has opted to take the blinkers off and is changing riders to Alan Garcia for this start.

“Her last race was a little disappointing,” he said. “The last time she ran seven-eighths, she won. We’re hoping that will happen again. We’re taking the blinkers off and we’ll have Alan Garcia riding, just to shake it up a bit. With the blinkers off, hopefully that will settle her a touch.”

The Bessarabian has a full field of 14, with Mexican Hat on the also-eligible list.

Key Contenders

Code Warrior, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-94

◗ Code Warrior has drawn post 7 and should be able to use her tactical speed to get in a good position, if she’s not setting the pace again. There does appear to be several front-running horses in the field, however.

Moonlit Promise, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 87-84-82

◗ She’s drawn the rail in four of her last five starts and now breaks from post 12. She has experienced some traffic trouble in a few races this season, but should be able to work out a good trip with the outside draw.

Let It Ride Mom, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 88-82-89

◗ She’s finished in the exactor in eight of her nine starts over Woodbine’s synthetic surface, with her lone off-the-board finish coming in the Grade 3 Seaway two starts back.

◗ She did bounce back nicely in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters in her most recent start on Sept. 17, finishing second behind the streaking Hotshot Anna.

Jessica Krupnick, by Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 88-82-82

◗ She ran second behind Silent Sonet in the Ontario Fashion in her first start for trainer Norm McKnight.

◗ She’s one of two runners in the field for McKnight and owner Breeze Easy LLC. McKnight will be seeking his second graded stakes win of the meet.

My Miss Tapit, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-90

◗ She had a slow beginning in the Ontario Fashion, and ran sixth behind several other contenders in here, including stablemate Jessica Krupnick.

◗ She breezed four furlongs in 47 seconds on Nov. 17, and could move forward in her second start for McKnight.

Silent Sonet, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 90-76-69

◗ She sprang a 56-1 upset in winning the Ontario Fashion last time out.

◗ Trainer Nick Gonzalez said Silent Sonet has moved forward with the cooler weather.