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Desert Code surprises in Turf Sprint
Making a sustained rally from midpack was Diabolical, the American expatriate sporting the colors of Godolphin, who at 5-1 was the third betting choice. He made the lead inside the final eighth, but charging from the back was Desert Code, who angled out in upper stretch with a strong burst of speed to prove best by a half-length, getting about 6 1/2 furlongs on firm ground in 1:11 3/5. "I thought we'd be closer but when I saw a 41-and-change half, I knew we had a chance," Hofmans said. "The horse really bounced out of his last race. He's never been better and he loves this course." Diabolical was a length clear of 16-1 chance Storm Treasure (Storm Boot), who had still trailed after a half-mile. He was three-quarters of a length ahead of Fleeting Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit), the English-based filly who was sent off the mild 4-1 favorite. Next under the line were Heros Reward (Partner's Hero), Salute the Count (Count the Time), True to Tradition (Rahy), One Union (Dixie Union), Get Funky (Straight Man), California Flag, Mr. Nightlinger, Rouse the Cat (Sir Cat), Idiot Proof (Benchmark) and Only Answer (GB) (Green Desert). Desert Code returned $75, $30.80 and $21 while keying the $1 exotics of $393.10 (exacta), $6,184.50 (trifecta) and $29,663.30 (9-8-6-2 superfecta). Diabolical brought back $7.60 and $5.20 while Storm Treasure paid $9.20. Desert Code has displayed versatility throughout his career, but has developed into one of Southern California's more consistent grass sprinters. At age three, he scored his initial stakes triumph in the Baldwin S. (G3) over Santa Anita's downhill turf, and later added the Affirmed H. (G3) over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track. Desert Code captured another Santa Anita grass sprint, the Joe Hernandez S., in his second start this year before embarking on a three-race campaign over synthetic surfaces, highlighted by runner-up finishes in the Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) and Berkeley S. (G3). In his most recent start, Desert Code faded to seventh after contesting the pace in the Morvich H. (G3). With this score, Desert Code has now won four of six turf sprints at Santa Anita. His overall mark stands at 19-6-4-2 with earnings of $1,028,939. Bred by Classicstar in Kentucky, Desert Code was sold for $150,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. He is out of the stakes-winning Chatta Code (Lost Code), making him a half-brother to stakes queen Soul Onarazorsedge (Carson City) and stakes winner Forest Code (Forestry). Desert Code also has a 2008 full sister.
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