Code of Honor sharp in breeze for Breeders' Cup Juvenile

ELMONT, N.Y. – It has been 17 years since Shug McGaughey has started a horse in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. If the Hall of Fame trainer was waiting for the right one to bring to that race, perhaps he’s found it in Code of Honor.

On Friday, Code of Honor gave the look of a major player in the $2 million Juvenile on Nov. 2 by working a sharp half-mile in 48.79 seconds over the Belmont Park main track. Not only did he get his final quarter in 23.54 seconds, Code of Honor galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.82 and six furlongs in 1:13.46.

John Velazquez was up for the work, Code of Honor’s first since he finished second to Complexity in the Grade 1 Champagne. Velazquez, who rode Code of Honor in his maiden win but not in the Champagne, will be back aboard in the Juvenile.

McGaughey said Code of Honor’s work Friday was reminiscent of how he breezed at Saratoga prior to winning his debut Aug. 18.

“His really good work before we ran him, when he got by the wire at the Oklahoma track, he went out three-quarters strong,” McGaughey said. “One of the things I really like about him is how much stamina he seems to have.”

Code of Honor could be the third choice in the Juvenile behind the undefeated duo of Game Winner and Complexity. Code of Honor was beaten three lengths by Complexity in the Champagne after stumbling at the break and having to rally widest of all in the lane.

“As good as he worked today, it kind of legitimizes his two races,” McGaughey said. “He’s bounced out of the Champagne in good order, so if everything goes right, we’ll see what happens.”

Code of Honor will have one more work at Belmont before shipping to Churchill on Oct. 29.