Forest Code Takes Outside Path in Giant's Causeway

Favored Forest Code, overcoming a tough outside post, battled on the lead from the outset and drove clear in the final stages for a 1 1/2-length win in the $115,000 Giant's Causeway for fillies and mares sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on grass Saturday at Keeneland.

Jockey Garrett Gomez teamed with the 4-year-old daughter of Forestry to defeat a stubborn Haddie Be Good, who held on for second under Javier Castellano, finishing a head in front of the driving South Necking and Robby Albarado. The time was 1:02.73.

Trainer Todd Pletcher saddled the winner as well as the third-place finisher. It was the first stakes win for Forest Code.

Fractions were quick -- :22 1/5 and :44 4/5 -- as Forest Code settled four wide on the lead. She took the lead briefly from Haddie Be Good after three furlongs, dropped back behind that one coming off the turn and rallied again in the lane while continuing to race on the outside of the contenders.

Forest Code, a $205,000 graduate of Keeneland’s 2004 September Yearling Sale, improved her record to four wins in 11 starts and increased her career earnings to $200,550 for Blyar Stable after grabbing the winning share of $71,300.

The winner, who had been competing in Southern California since last fall, paid $6.20, $4.20 and $3.40. Haddie Be Good returned $18.80 and $10.60 as a 22-1 outsider for trainer John Hennig. South Necking was $5.80 to show.

(Chart, Equibase)