Earlier than going to stud subsequent 12 months at Lane’s Finish Farm, Code of Honor has some unfinished racetrack business in the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 30.
And maybe past. If the 5-year-old performs effectively, Code of Honor may return within the $750,000 Clark Stakes Offered by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs and doubtlessly thereafter within the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 29. The breeding season begins in February.
Such a schedule could be a becoming swan track for a colt that gained the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and Jockey Membership Gold Cup (G1) in 2019. He additionally scored 4 different graded stakes victories over his 18-race profession.
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A victory Saturday on closing day of the autumn meet at Keeneland would push him previous $3 million in earnings. Although Code of Honor is the possible favourite within the area of 9, 4 opponents—Sleepy Eyes Todd , Night Ops , Independence Hall , and King Fury —are also graded winners.
“I am enthusiastic about operating him Saturday, and hopefully, we will go on to the Clark and see the place that takes us,” Corridor of Fame coach Shug McGaughey mentioned of Code of Honor. “Clearly, I am excited he will Lane’s Finish, the place he was born and raised. They will give a very good likelihood.”
A son of Noble Mission out of the Dixie Union mare Reunited , Code of Honor was bred by Lane’s End owner and founder Will Farish and has raced for him.
“It’s good for Mr. Farish to have one of his homebreds come (back) there,” McGaughey said. “I’m excited about that part. Of course, you’re disappointed when you lose a horse of that caliber to stud, but I know he’s going to a good place.”
On Saturday McGaughey hopes to see Code of Honor bounce back from a fourth-place finish in the Woodward Stakes (G1) Oct. 2 at Belmont Park behind the Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1)-bound Art Collector .
That race followed what had been an auspicious Aug. 21 comeback in the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3), his first start since a fifth-place finish in the Pegasus in January. McGaughey attributes the Woodward fourth to the horse taking dirt behind the pace and his rivals being more “race ready” than Code of Honor.
“I’ve kind of gotten into him a little bit since that race. So I’m helpful we will have caught up,” McGaughey said.
Code of Honor, who has yet to race at Keeneland but worked a half-mile there in :49 3/5 Oct. 25, will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
Thumbs Up Racing’s Sleepy Eyes Todd, another horse with experience facing Art Collector, is one of Code of Honor’s principal rivals. The $2 million earner ran second to Art Collector most recently in the Charles Town Classic (G2) Aug. 27 after setting the pace. Sleepy Eyes Todd won the Charles Town Classic in 2020.
The well-traveled 5-year-old, who trainer Miguel Angel Silva has raced everywhere from the Middle East to Nebraska, drew the rail, leaving jockey Ry Eikleberry in position to dictate terms on the Paddy O’Prado horse.
Hoping to score the knockout against his elders is Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s King Fury, a 13-length winner of the Bourbon Trail Stakes at Churchill Downs last month. This spring, the 3-year-old Curlin colt won the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Sleepy Eyes Todd is also a local stakes winner, scoring in the Lafayette Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select on the Breeders’ Cup undercard last fall at Keeneland.
Entries: Hagyard Fayette S. (G2)
Keeneland, Saturday, October 30, 2021, Race 9
- Grade II
- 1 1/8m
- Filth
- $200,000
- 3 yo’s & up
- 5:16 PM (native)
