Gulfstream Park notes: Honor Code another step closer to 3-year-old debut

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Honor Code took another step toward his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut when working an easy half-mile in 52.23 seconds Tuesday morning at Gulfstream Park.

Honor Code was pretty much just coasting from the half-mile pole to the wire, posting an early split of 26.17 while well in hand throughout. He then picked up the pace noticeably under some mild coaxing into the turn, completing five-eighths in 1:04.78 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:17.95 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:31.46.

Tuesday’s work was the third for Honor Code since he was moved from his original winter base at Payson Park to Gulfstream after suffering a minor setback in late January. He has not started since outfinishing Cairo Prince by a nose to win the Grade 2 Remsen on Nov. 30.

“It was a little slower than I wanted, but it was fine,” said trainer Shug McGaughey as Honor Code finished cooling out after the work. “It was really a five-eighths work from the half-mile pole, and my rider said he was really best after the wire. He galloped out real strong. I think I’ll come back and work him with some company on Sunday or Monday. I didn’t want to go too quick this morning, but I’ll pick it up with him this weekend.”

McGaughey said the plan, at the moment, remains for Honor Code to open his campaign in the Rebel at Oaklawn Park on March 15.

Noble Cornerstone works

Honor Code wasn’t the only 3-year-old on the Derby trail to breeze Tuesday at Gulfstream. He was proceeded over the fast track by Noble Cornerstone, who also went an easy half-mile in 51.60 for trainer Wesley Ward. Noble Cornerstone was scheduled to depart south Florida on Wednesday for New York to compete in Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct.