Code Warrior repeats in the Hendrie Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Code Warrior ($14.20) won the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes for the second year in a row Sunday at Woodbine, scoring in front-running fashion under Luis Contreras.

Into a stiff headwind on the backstretch, Code Warrior set moderate fractions on an uncontested lead. A stalking Let It Ride Mom, the tepid 5-2 favorite, took aim at her in the final furlong, but Code Warrior dug in to win by three-quarters of a length, in a time of 1:16.75 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

Moonlit Promise was along for third, and Scotty’s Model prevailed in a three-way photo for fourth in the seven-horse field of fillies and mares.

The Hendrie was the third victory on the card for Contreras, who got a leg up from trainer Mike DePaulo on the 5-year-old daughter of Society’s Chairman.

“She felt great on the lead,” Contreras said. “Mike told me in the paddock to just get her to relax. She doesn’t need to be on the lead, but nobody wanted the lead. I felt comfortable to take it from there. I was a little bit surprised nobody put any pressure on her early.”

Code Warrior earned $75,000 of the $126,625 purse for Zilli Racing Stables.