Code of Honor, Mihos meet again in Dwyer Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Code of Honor figures to be a heavy favorite in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Dwyer Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile. But in Mihos, he will be facing a horse who’s already beaten him once.

Mihos won the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January, beating Code of Honor by 7 3/4 lengths. Mihos then finished fifth in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 2 and hasn’t raced since.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Mihos got sick in Florida and again when he got back to New York. It was only his recent training, including a half-mile breeze in 47.40 seconds on Tuesday, that convinced Jerkens to run him.

“After a certain while, he seemed to really kick in nice,” Jerkens said. “I like how he’s doing.”

Code of Honor will be making his first start since the Kentucky Derby, where he finished third but was elevated to second with the disqualification of first-place finisher Maximum Security.

Also entered in the Dwyer, run at one mile on the main track, were Final Jeopardy, Majid, Rowayton, and Whiskey Echo.

Promises Fulfilled in Nerud

Promises Fulfilled won’t have to deal with Mitole in Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 John A. Nerud Stakes going seven furlongs.

Formerly known as the Belmont Sprint Championship, this race was renamed to honor the Hall of Fame trainer of many great horses, including Dr. Fager.

In his last two starts, Promises Fulfilled finished third behind Mitole in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs on Derby Day and fourth behind Mitole in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on Belmont Day. Mitole is at Saratoga and likely will go in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 27.

Promises Fulfilled is a Grade 1 winner at seven furlongs, having taken the H. Allen Jerkens last summer at Saratoga. He will take on Bon Raison, Do Share, Killybegs Captain, Majestic Dunhill, New York Central, Nicodemus, Pat On the Back, and Warrior’s Club.

The Nerud offers its winner a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.