Three-peat by Satan's Code shaky

Satan's Code has dominated the last two runnings of the W. Meredith Bailes Memorial Stakes at Colonial Downs. In order to make it three in a row, however, the now 8-year-old Satan's Code must show he can win first time back from a long layoff.

Trained by Scott Lake, Satan's Code will be making his first start since October - and racing on dirt for the first time since winning this same race a year ago - when he faces eight other Virginia-breds in Sunday's $60,000 Bailes at six furlongs.

Two years ago, Satan's Code prepped for the Bailes with a second-place finish in the five-furlong Punch Line on turf. In the Bailes, he cruised home 5 1/2 lengths in front, earning a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

In 2005, Satan's Code struggled in three starts against open claiming company before regaining his best form when he scored a 6 1/2-length win in the Bailes.

Woodbridge may have the best chance to foil Satan's Code, the likely favorite. A 4-year-old gelding trained by Eddie Gaudet, Woodbridge has been revitalized since moving from Maryland to Delaware, where he has won back-to-back allowance sprints.

Partners Due is an accomplished sprinter with a 2-for-2 record over Colonial's main track, including a stakes last August, and two placings in graded stakes in Maryland. The question, however, is whether the 4-year-old filly is good enough to beat males. Partners Due comes from the barn of Mike Trombetta, whose 23 percent success rate this season is a good indication he knows how to properly place his stock.

Based on his dirt form last year, North Broad must be respected. Although he won just 1 of 6 starts in 2005, North Broad was up close or in front at the six-furlong call of three rapidly run seven-furlong allowance races at Charles Town. In his only start this year, North Broad was a nonthreatening fourth in a turf sprint, but considering his record on grass is a poor 1 for 11, that race probably isn't a good barometer of his dirt form.

Sandys Gold comes back just seven days after easily defeating conditioned claimers in a turf sprint.