Honor Code Inhales Allowance Foes in Return
Nov 23, 2014 2:58:56 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Nov 23, 2014 2:58:56 GMT -5
Soft field but he looked good - Didn't think he'd get there,
Honor Code Inhales Allowance Foes in Return
By Jack Shinar
Bloodhorse
Honor code returned a winner following a layoff of more than eight months Nov. 22 at Aqueduct Racetrack, rallying from sixth at mid-stretch to score impressively while in hand for jockey Javier Castellano (VIDEO).
Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey for owners Lane's End Racing and breeder Dell Ridge Farm, the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) winner made a successful comeback from injury after a brief appearance on the Triple Crown trail this spring.
Facing older opponents for the first time in the $69,000 allowance/optional claiming tilt, the long-striding 3-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of the Storm Cat mare Serena's Cat ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.33 over a fast track.
Honor Code defeated second choice Maleeh by one length as the 9-5 favorite in the field of nine. It was the shortest distance Honor Code has run in his five-race career, which includes three wins and a pair of seconds.
The dark bay ridgling was making his first start Saturday since finishing second, 10 lengths behind Social Inclusion, in his seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park in an allowance heat March 12. Several days later, Honor Code was found to have a slight tear in his right hind upper suspensory.
Royal Currier set the pace up the backstretch, carving fractions of :22.29 and :45.22 while tracked by Green Gratto and Pure Sensation, with Maleeh stalking in fifth. Honor Code was taken back soon after the start and chased the pace from near the rear of the field while racing freely.
Honor Code began to unwind his assault rounding the turn and was racing just behind the pack while well off the rail in the stretch as Maleeh overtook the leaders. Maleeh, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., had a clear advantage in the drive as Honor Code made his bid from between rivals while five wide leaving the furlong mark. But there was no stopping the onrushing favorite, who surged impressively in the final sixteenth under cool handling by Castellano.
The victory was Honor Code's first since he defeated Cairo Prince by a nose in a terrific Remsen renewal at Aqueduct nearly a year ago. Honor Code was second by neck to Havana in the Foxwoods Champagne Stakes (gr. I) prior to the Remsen.
Following the Remsen, McGaughey opted to await the Triple Crown season, but Honor Code's 2014 debut was delayed by bruising to his hind ankles in February.
Carrying 118 pounds, Honor Code paid $5.70, $3.60, and $2.90 for his victory, and has now banked $442,600. Maleeh returned $3.60 and $2.90. It was 6 1/4 lengths farther back to Monster Mash, who paid $4.20 to show.
Honor Code Inhales Allowance Foes in Return
By Jack Shinar
Bloodhorse
Honor code returned a winner following a layoff of more than eight months Nov. 22 at Aqueduct Racetrack, rallying from sixth at mid-stretch to score impressively while in hand for jockey Javier Castellano (VIDEO).
Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey for owners Lane's End Racing and breeder Dell Ridge Farm, the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) winner made a successful comeback from injury after a brief appearance on the Triple Crown trail this spring.
Facing older opponents for the first time in the $69,000 allowance/optional claiming tilt, the long-striding 3-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of the Storm Cat mare Serena's Cat ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.33 over a fast track.
Honor Code defeated second choice Maleeh by one length as the 9-5 favorite in the field of nine. It was the shortest distance Honor Code has run in his five-race career, which includes three wins and a pair of seconds.
The dark bay ridgling was making his first start Saturday since finishing second, 10 lengths behind Social Inclusion, in his seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park in an allowance heat March 12. Several days later, Honor Code was found to have a slight tear in his right hind upper suspensory.
Royal Currier set the pace up the backstretch, carving fractions of :22.29 and :45.22 while tracked by Green Gratto and Pure Sensation, with Maleeh stalking in fifth. Honor Code was taken back soon after the start and chased the pace from near the rear of the field while racing freely.
Honor Code began to unwind his assault rounding the turn and was racing just behind the pack while well off the rail in the stretch as Maleeh overtook the leaders. Maleeh, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., had a clear advantage in the drive as Honor Code made his bid from between rivals while five wide leaving the furlong mark. But there was no stopping the onrushing favorite, who surged impressively in the final sixteenth under cool handling by Castellano.
The victory was Honor Code's first since he defeated Cairo Prince by a nose in a terrific Remsen renewal at Aqueduct nearly a year ago. Honor Code was second by neck to Havana in the Foxwoods Champagne Stakes (gr. I) prior to the Remsen.
Following the Remsen, McGaughey opted to await the Triple Crown season, but Honor Code's 2014 debut was delayed by bruising to his hind ankles in February.
Carrying 118 pounds, Honor Code paid $5.70, $3.60, and $2.90 for his victory, and has now banked $442,600. Maleeh returned $3.60 and $2.90. It was 6 1/4 lengths farther back to Monster Mash, who paid $4.20 to show.
