Code of Honor's defection results in bigger field for Remsen

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes lost a key player before entries when trainer Shug McGaughey said Tuesday that Champagne runner-up Code of Honor would not run.

McGaughey wasn’t satisfied with how Code of Honor worked on Monday at Belmont Park and plans to wait until the Gulfstream Park meet to run the horse again.

His defection helped create a late run to the entry box with Tax, Chinomado, and Gladiator King all being entered after news of Code of Honor’s defection.

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The favorite will be Maximus Mischief, a son of Into Mischief who has romped to victory in his two races, both at Parx this fall. Maximus Mischief will break from post 6 under Frankie Pennington.

Network Effect, runner-up in the Grade 3 Nashua, will likely be second choice while breaking from post 5 under Javier Castellano.

Jungle Warrior, who makes his dirt debut in the Remsen, drew the rail, followed by Chinomado, Bourbon War, Gladiator King, Network Effect, Maximus Mischief, and Tax.

In other stakes on Saturday:

◗ Marley’s Freedom drew the rail and will likely be an odds-on favorite against six rivals in the Grade 3, $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap. Marley’s Freedom, with Mike Smith riding for Bob Baffert, won the Grade 1 Ballerina earlier this summer at Saratoga. She is coming off a fourth-place finish as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

Outside of Marley’s Freedom will be Browse, Sower, Bonita Bianca, Your Love, Tigalalu, Come Dancing and Pacific Wind.

◗ Enliven, second to Oxy Lady in the Grade 3 Tempted, drew the rail in a field of seven entered in the Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies. Outside of her will be Girl of Tosconova, Filly Joel, Positive Spirit, Jennifer’s Dream, Afleet Destiny, and Molito Bella.