Code of Honor takes it slow over sealed track in final BC Classic work

ELMONT, N.Y. – Code of Honor’s final work for the Breeders’ Cup Classic was not exactly what trainer Shug McGaughey wanted.

Code of Honor breezed a half-mile in 53.80 seconds Sunday morning over Belmont Park’s main track, his final move before Saturday’s $6 million Classic at Santa Anita for which he figures to be one of the favorites. With rain in the forecast Sunday morning, the main track was sealed for training,

Shortly after 7 a.m. and just as heavy rain began to fall, Code of Honor went an opening quarter in 27.58 seconds and the second quarter in 26.22 under exercise rider Lexi Peaden. Code of Honor galloped out five furlongs in 1:07.15 and six furlongs in 1:20.13.

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“I overcompensated on the track,” McGaughey said. “It’s my fault. I told her just to hold him together and go a half-mile, she just overcompensated but that’s my fault.”

McGaughey said Code of Honor cooled out fine back at the barn. He is scheduled to ship to Southern California on Monday.

Sunday’s work came six days after Code of Honor worked five furlongs in 1:00.26 over a sealed, sloppy racetrack. In that work, he galloped out a mile in 1:39.40.

“Fitness-wise I don’t think I needed to do much,” McGaughey said. “He’s coming off two mile-and-a-quarter races.”

Code of Honor, a son of Noble Mission owned by William S. Farish, has won his three most recent starts: the Grade 3 Dwyer in July, the Grade 1 Travers in August, and the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, via the disqualification of Vino Rosso, on Sept. 28. The Travers and Jockey Club were both at 1 1/4 miles.