Fast and Foxy, Code Warrior resume rivalry in Camilla Urso

With eight fillies and mares in the field, Saturday’s $50,000 Camilla Urso at Golden Gate Fields is not a match race, but it could look like one in the final furlong. Fast and Foxy and Code Warrior have traded recent decisions and appear to be a notch above the others in the six-furlong Tapeta race.

Fast and Foxy, the queen of Northern California sprinters, is seeking her fifth straight victory against her own sex, all in wire-to-wire fashion. Code Warrior is looking for a third sprint-stakes victory at Golden Gate.

Fast and Foxy is the one to catch in the Camilla Urso. She has won four of her last five, all at Golden Gate, with her only loss in that stretch a third-place finish against males in a Jan. 8 allowance sprint.

“She loves the track, and she stays sound on it,” said trainer Holly Evans, who has seen the 7-year-old mare score all 14 career victories here.

Fast and Foxy rarely is outsprinted for the lead, but she was on Jan. 8 by Distinctiv Passion, who ended up fifth. Fast and Foxy was beaten 5 1/2 lengths by the winner, Quick and Silver, and Evans said she told jockey Catalino Martinez not to push her unless she had a chance to win.

Since that race, Fast and Foxy has won two allowance sprints against females, defeating Code Warrior by 2 1/2 lengths on Jan. 29 and Saturday rival Turkish Tabby by two lengths on Feb. 24.

Code Warrior, making her first start since April, outfinished Fast and Foxy by 3 1/4 lengths to finish second in the Jan. 8 race against males and has not raced since chasing her rival to the wire Jan. 29.

Code Warrior, 4, usually stalks the pace, and she would benefit if Fast and Foxy goes too fast early.

“We’re going to be doing something in the lane,” said Code Warrior’s trainer, Manny Badilla.

The main competition to Fast and Foxy and Code Warrior comes in the form of Turf Paradise and Emerald Down stakes winner B C Z Middleton, the improving Turkish Tabby, and the speedy Coniah.

Camilla Urso (Race 7)

Key contenders

Fast and Foxy, by Thisnearlywasmine

Last 3 Beyers: 89-94-78

◗ B C Z Middleton and Coniah probably will try to push her early, but if she establishes an easy lead, she’ll be tough to catch.

Code Warrior, by Society’s Chairman

Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-71

◗ Code Warrior won all three of her starts at 2, including the Golden Nugget and Golden Gate Debutante stakes. In her first start at 3, she was beaten a half-length in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez at Santa Anita.

◗ She has raced only nine times and has three wins and three seconds.

Turkish Tabby, by Eskendereya

Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-77

◗ She was beaten 6 1/4 lengths by Fast and Foxy two starts ago and closed the gap to two lengths in her last start.