Honor Code back to one-turn mile in Kelso
ELMONT, N.Y. – Going into the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, the biggest question was whether Honor Code could be as effective around two turns as he’d proven to be around one. Going into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic later this month at Keeneland, the question will be whether Honor Code can get 1 1/4 miles.
Going into Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park, there is no question Honor Code will be the horse to beat against five rivals.
The Kelso is a one-turn-mile race that trainer Shug McGaughey feels is the best way to get Honor Code to the BC Classic in four weeks. In one-turn miles, Honor Code beat Private Zone in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap and Tonalist, Private Zone, and seven others in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap here in June. His only loss in a one-turn mile came by a neck to Havana in the Grade 1 Champagne, in which he got off slowly and had to rally eight wide.
Honor Code is coming off a neck victory over Liam’s Map in the Whitney. Liam’s Map returned to win the Grade 1 Woodward.
With California shipper Appealing Tale and the locally based Scarly Charly in the field, Honor Code should get the pace scenario he needs to be successful in the Kelso.
The prospect of a wet track has McGaughey slightly concerned, even though Honor Code won his career debut over a sea of slop at 2 at Saratoga.
“The one thing about the slop is if someone were to get loose on the lead the way it can get here sometimes … but I don’t think that will happen,” McGaughey said.
Honor Code will carry the top weight of 124 pounds, spotting six to 10 pounds to his six rivals, including Red Vine, third to Beholder in the Pacific Classic, and Tamarkuz, fourth to Honor Code in the Met Mile.
The Kelso goes as race 5 (2:33 p.m. Eastern).
Key contenders
Honor Code (Last 3 Beyers: 113-112-92)
* Hasn’t run in eight weeks, but he won the Whitney off a nine-week layoff, and his five-furlong workout here in 1:00.82 on Sunday was excellent.
“I think he’s done really, really well,” said McGaughey. “I just want him to go over there and run a good race, come back fine, and head to the next stop.”
Appealing Tale (Last 3 Beyers: 99-102-101)
* Appealing Tale ships in from Southern California after wiring the field Aug. 22 in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar. Figures to try to use similar tactics from the rail Saturday.
“It looks like he’s the speed of the race,” said trainer Peter Miller. “It looks like a pretty good spot for him. Obviously, you have Honor Code in there, but I like our position.”
* Joe Talamo rides Appealing Tale. Talamo’s only previous mount at Belmont Park came aboard I Want Revenge when he ran third in the 2010 Suburban.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Appealing Tale. Trainer Peter Miller is 27-2-3-0 with a $0.58 ROI over the past five years in races outside of California. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Red Vine (Last 3 Beyers: 100-105-106)
* Was in contention in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic before Beholder blew the race open. Red Vine finished third, beaten 9 1/4 lengths.
* Turns back to a one-turn mile, the configuration of a stakes-caliber allowance race he won by three lengths at Aqueduct in April.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Red Vine. Trainer Christophe Clement is 12-4-3-0 with a $3.05 ROI over the past five years in dirt graded stakes at Belmont, but 6-0-1-0 with horses not named Tonalist. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Scarly Charly. Trainer Mike Hushion is 30-13-5-7 with a $3.66 ROI over the past two years going sprint to route on dirt on the NYRA circuit. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan