Kelso likely next start for Honor Code

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Honor Code, the Metropolitan Handicap and Whitney Stakes winner, will “most likely” make his next start in the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Handicap, a one-mile race at Belmont Park on Oct. 3, trainer Shug McGaughey said Tuesday.
In the days following the Aug. 8 Whitney, McGaughey said he was torn between the Kelso and the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, run the same day at 1 1/4 miles.
But McGaughey feels the shorter race may help him get Honor Code to the Breeders’ Cup Classic “the best way I possibly can,” though he has not totally ruled out the Jockey Club.
“I just got to figure out whether I think the Jockey Club Gold Cup is going to take a little sting out of him going a mile and a quarter as opposed to the Kelso putting a little sting in him,” McGaughey said.
Honor Code breezed a half-mile in 49.93 seconds on Aug. 23, but McGaughey decided not to work him last weekend.
“I just want to keep him as fresh as I need to,” McGaughey said. “I’ll breeze him this weekend.”

