CODE DUELLO REMAINS PERFECT AT 1,000 WINS TO WIN WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP

         Racing from the outside post 10 for Flawless Racing, Brian Flanagan and Michael Jarvis, the 6-year-old gray gelding Code Duello worked hard to take the early lead and from there held off the top distance horses on the ground to win the $50,000 1,000 Yard Winter Championship on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

        With Adrian Escobedo up for trainer Craig Dollase, Code Duello improved his record to a perfect three for three at this distance at Los Alamitos in 2024, while earning a sweet $27,500 for the win. Going back to 2022, Code Duello is undefeated in five starts at this distance, as he won races at the Orange County oval in March and in June of 2022. The key to winning the Winter Championship on Saturday was his ability to clear the other nine runners in this race, allowing him to establish a big lead that he carried to the wire to win by 1 ¾ lengths. Code Duello covered the distance in :52.762.

“He got over pretty good and from there it was clear sailing,” Flanagan said. “These 1,000-yard races, they’re exciting. They’re fast and it’s much better to win than it is to lose.”

While he’s five for five at 1,000 yards, Code Duello has won four times from his 20 starts at distance other than 1,000 yards, but at that distance he’s flawless in five starts, just like the nom de course of his owners.  

“The jockey did a great job, and Craig always puts the horses in great spots,” Flanagan added. “That’s why it’s so much fun. Flawless Racing came to pass about 10 years ago. We decided to buy a horse, and it went well. I think we’re on our seventh or eighth horse. So far, it’s been nothing but fun. Hopefully there will be more. This is a good thing to happen.”

Battle Born Racing’s Piper’s Causeway earned $11,250 for running second with Edgar Payeras up. Jesus Uranga trains the Point Piper gelding. David Hinkins’ Perfecto Amor ran third. 

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