Distance the question for Code Warrior in California Oaks
Manny Badilla freely admits to what every trainer with a top 3-year-old filly probably is thinking.
“I’ve told Jerry Hollendorfer that I’ll see where he’s running Songbird, and I’ll run somewhere else,” Badilla joked.
Luckily for Badilla, last year’s champion 2-year-old filly will be running in the Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday and not against his star filly, Code Warrior, in the $50,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields. But Code Warrior still will face a tough Hollendorfer-trained filly, Kiss N Scat, in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks on Saturday.
Code Warrior won her first three starts, all at Golden Gate, including the Golden Nugget Stakes against males and the Golden Gate Debutante against fillies. She then ran second in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez at Santa Anita, losing by a half-length to Forever Darling in that 6 1/2-furlong race.
“We found out a few things,” Badilla said about Code Warrior’s effort in the Santa Ynez. “She can ship, she can handle dirt, and she can handle toughies.”
On Saturday, Code Warrior will be asked to route for the first time.
“We know she likes Tapeta,” Badilla said, referring to the surface of Golden Gate’s main track. “Now we have to get past two turns.”
Two turns is not a concern for Kiss N Scat, who has won at a mile. Kiss N Scat has won both of her starts on the Golden Gate main track. After winning her maiden here at six furlongs, she ran second on the turf in the one-mile Pike Place Dancer to stablemate Stays in Vegas. Kiss N Scat then won a one-mile allowance on the Tapeta here by 13 lengths in front-running style in her most recent start Nov. 26.
The field of nine 3-year-old fillies in the California Oaks includes one other stakes winner, Right There, who also ran third in the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita last year. Another Oaks contender, My Dynamo, finished third in the Golden Gate Debutante.
CALIFORNIA OAKS (Race 7)
Key contenders
Code Warrior, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-80
◗ Code Warrior drew the rail and might find herself on the lead, so it will be interesting to see how she relaxes.
◗ She has worked nicely in the five weeks since the Santa Ynez.
Kiss N Scat, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-76
◗ Her four bullet six-furlong drills in January should have her plenty fit off the layoff.
◗ She’s drawn outside but has enough speed to get a good trip.
My Dynamo, by Discreetly Mine
Last 3 Beyers: 74-70-78
◗ She’s been beaten by Code Warrior in her last two starts, including a fifth in the Santa Ynez.
◗ She is making her first start in a route.
◗ She wears blinkers for the first time after a strong five-furlong bullet work.