Honor Code looks to answer two-turn question in Whitney

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Some look at the field for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney Stakes and see seven Grade 1 stakes winners among its 10 entrants. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey looks at the field for the 88th Whitney Stakes and thinks, “There are some question marks.”

One of those questions surrounds his horse, Honor Code, who is coming off an electrifying performance in winning the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, a one-turn, one-mile race two months ago at Belmont Park. Honor Code must answer the question if he can be equally as effective around two turns.

Honor Code, a son of A.P. Indy, is 4 for 5 in races run around one turn, with a neck loss in the Grade 1 Champagne. He is 1 for 3 in races around two turns, winning a peculiar running of the Grade 2 Remsen at age 2. In his most recent two-turn try, Honor Code finished fifth, beaten six lengths, in the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day.

“I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be a two-turn horse,” McGaughey said. “I know it was a strange race, but he won a Grade 2 going two turns. He just threw in a clunker at Churchill, so we’ll see. There ought to be some speed in front of him with Moreno and [Liam’s Map]. If it turns out he’s not [a two-turn horse], they still got the Kelso at Belmont.”

Honor Code drew the rail and was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite by New York Racing Association oddsmaker Eric Donovan.

McGaughey said the two primary speed horses – Moreno and Liam’s Map – have questions to answer as well. Moreno is only 1 for 8 since he won the Whitney last year. Liam’s Map, though he’s won four of five races, has never raced in a Grade 1.

“Moreno, when he runs his race, he’s pretty darn good, but he’s thrown in clunkers, too,” McGaughey said. “Wicked Strong is the same way; when he’s good, he’s very good.”

Wicked Strong was good at Saratoga last summer, winning the Jim Dandy Stakes and losing the Travers Stakes by a nose to stablemate V. E. Day. He has lost his last six races but showed some life when second in the Forbidden Apple Stakes on turf July 11.

Wicked Strong also showed signs of life Wednesday, blowing out three furlongs in 35.66 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. Wicked Strong breezed in a Sure-Win bit and will race in it for the second time and his first time on dirt.

“It keeps the bit up in the horse’s mouth, and it’s a little harder for the horse to put the tongue over the bit,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.

Jerkens planned to have V. E. Day blow out a quarter-mile on Thursday.

Rounding out the Whitney field are Grade 1 winners Noble Bird, Lea, and Tonalist as well as Brooklyn Handicap winner Coach Inge and Normandy Invasion.

The Whitney is a Win and You’re In race for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31. The Whitney will be televised live on NBC in a one-hour telecast beginning at 5 p.m.

There are four other stakes on Saturday’s card: the Grade 1 Test for 3-year-old fillies, the Grade 3 Waya for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on turf, the $100,000 De La Rose for fillies and mares at a mile on turf, and the $100,000 Lure at 1 1/16 miles for males on turf.