Code West scores upset in Rasmussen Memorial

Code West scored an 11-1 upset over the favored Domain’s Rap and defending champion Jessica’s Star in the $65,000 Jim Rasmussen Memorial Stakes on Monday at Prairie Meadows.

Code West got a sweet ride from jockey Israel Ocampo and was well prepared by trainer Boyd Caster for his first start since an eighth-place finish last October in the Grade 2 Fayette at Keeneland.

Code West broke sharply from post 2 but was eased back off the pace by Ocampo into the first turn as Jessica’s Star came up three wide and Domain’s Rap even farther out onto the track to press moderate fractions of 24.91 and 48.29 seconds set by the rail-drawn Ecleto Red.

Ocampo sat patiently along the fence until the quarter pole, where he came off the fence to guide Code West through a hole between Ecleto Red and Jessica’s Star. His mount went willingly through and continued on resolutely to the wire to beat Domain’s Rap, the 3-2 favorite, by a neck. Jessica’s Star was another half-length back in third and just a head in front of Smack Smack.

Code West was timed in 1:44.16 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track and paid $24.40 to win. The 6-year-old ridgling by Lemon Drop Kid and the Saint Ballado mare Charitabledonation won for the first time since August 2014 and ran his career record to 5-9-4 from 29 starts. Caster trains him for owners Brian, Leo, and Tim Hawk.