Honor Code, Take Charge Brandi back on track

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Whitney Stakes winner Honor Code’s first trip back to the track Wednesday was a bit more exciting than anticipated. The colt was on the Oklahoma training track as another horse ran loose for several minutes before being apprehended in the stable area.

Other than that, the morning took place without incident, and Honor Code appeared eager while jogging a little more than a mile with his stable pony.

“Terrific,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He came out real good.”

The Whitney was the second straight Grade 1 win for Honor Code, who took the Metropolitan Handicap in June. McGaughey said that options for his next start – and his final Breeders’ Cup Classic prep – include the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap, both Oct. 3 at Belmont.

◗ Champion Take Charge Brandi was back on the track Wednesday after finishing 10th and last in the Grade 1 Test Stakes on Saturday. The filly galloped Wednesday in the first set over the Oklahoma track for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

The Test snapped a four-race winning streak for Take Charge Brandi, who had not started since Jan. 31 because of a bone chip. She led through the Test’s opening splits of 23.21 and 46.21 seconds before fading.