Kodiak West © Benoit Photo
Gainesway Stable and Naify’s Irish-bred Kodiak West, a three-year-old filly trained by Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale and ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, proved strongest in the stretch Friday to score a decisive triumph in the feature at nine furlongs over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
Kodiak West, the 2-1 favorite in a field of eight fillies, won by a length over Stradella Road, with Don’t Blame Judy third and Retro fourth.
Kodiak West, a daughter of Kodiac, accomplished the distance in 1:48.51 and returned $6.40, $4.20 and $3.40 after recording her second win in eleven career starts. She made her United States debut last summer at Del Mar, finishing seventh versus allowance company. Previously, she had campaigned mainly in France.
Runner-up Stradella Road, sent off at 6-1 under Gary Stevens, paid $7.20 and $5.20, while Don’t Blame Judy returned $8.40 to show.
Kodiak West provided Van Dyke with his second victory Friday, the rider also having won the third race aboard Haydens Havoc, who provided trainer Peter Miller with a milestone 1,000th win of his career.
With no perfect tickets in the Pick Six Friday, Saturday’s nine-race program will have a carryover of $41,905. Post time for the first race is 12:30 p.m.