Desert Code returned to Santa Anita on Sunday for the G2 Daytona Handicap and reaffirmed his love for the unique downhill track which was the scene of his Breeders’ Cup victory with a resounding two-and-a-half-length win in the six-and-a-half-furlong contest.
Making his first appearance on course since the World Thoroughbred Championships in October, the five-year-old son of E Dubai was not in the least bit ring rusty as he jumped to the front and led the charge down the hill before kicking clear in the stretch.
His trainer David Hofmans told the TDN: ‘The fractions were pretty slow for coming down the hill but that’s why he’s so versatile. I thought maybe he would need the race but I was wrong.’
Desert Code, still an entire, was a $150,000 yearling at Keeneland September and was bred by ClassicStar (KY) from the Lost Code mare Chatta Code. He has recorded five of his seven career victories at Santa Anita and has earned more than $1million in prize-money.
E Dubai stands at Darley America for a fee of $15,000 (Stands and Nurses). He has enjoyed a wonderful start to 2009 with his winners including the exciting three-year-old duo of What A Pear and Mr Fantasy.
