Honor Marie breezes, on target for Risen Star

Honor Marie, the eye-catching winner of the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in his 2-year-old finale Nov. 25, moved forward in his work pattern over the weekend, going a half-mile Sunday in 49.20 seconds. The breeze was Honor Marie’s second since returning to the work tab with an easy three furlongs on Dec. 31. Honor Marie had a light December after shipping to Fair Grounds, trainer Whit Beckman said, and remains on schedule for his 3-year-old debut Feb. 17 in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes.

“It was just a standard half-mile, but he’s right where he needs to be,” said Beckman, who is splitting time this winter between New Orleans and Kentucky and was at Fair Grounds for the Sunday drill.

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Honor Marie rallied steadily from well behind a modest pace to win the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club by two lengths in his stakes and two-turn debut. By Honor Code, Honor Marie is loaded with stamina, and the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star should suit him.

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