Horse Racing : Lost Code Is Awesome in His 1988 Return

Lost Code, the $30,000 speedster who came out of Alabama in 1987 to win $1.13 million and push Alysheba and Bet Twice to one of the best race finishes in history, may get another crack at his higher priced rivals in 1988.

“Cody” returned from knee surgery and a five-month layoff March 5 looking even better than he did when he finished third to Bet Twice and Alysheba in the three-way photo finish of the $500,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park Aug. 1.

“I was in awe,” said trainer Bill Donovan.

So was the huge crowd on hand at Gulfstream Park for the $30,000 Exotic Gardens, a seven-furlong allowance and sub-feature on the Florida Derby Card.

A step behind the rest of the field when the gate opened, the 4-year-old Codex colt was in front by a half length when he passed the first quarter mile in :22 1-5. He leisurely extended that margin to a length and a half as he hit the three-eighths pole under new rider Craig Perret in :44 3-5.

Lost Code then suddenly accelerated, leaving the rest of the field in a cloud of dirt. Seven lengths in front at the head of the stretch, he crossed the finish line 15 1-2 lengths ahead of second-place Carborundum. His time of 1:21 1-5 was just two ticks off the track record set by Eastern Fleet 17 years ago.

Even the demolition of Donovan’s wife’s Cadillac by a Gulfstream employee a couple hours after the race couldn’t dampen the family’s enthusiasm.

“Right now, after watching his race Saturday, I don’t think there’s a horse that can beat him seven eighths of a mile,” Donovan said two days later as he talked about the possibility of entering the colt in shorter distance races such as the Metropolitan Mile and Michigan miles.

But that does not mean Donovan is only thinking of Lost Code as the potential sprint champion of 1988.

“These shorter races are just temporary,” he said. “There’s so much money in these races, and one Grade I is worth 10 stakes when he goes to stud.”

Donovan also would like to try the colt on grass and get him to the Breeders’ Cup next fall. But most of all, he wants a rematch with Alysheba, winner of the March 6 Santa Anita Derby, and Bet Twice, who is still on his winter vacation.

“Eventually,” Donovan said, “it will come.”