Mihos catches Trophy Chaser in Mucho Macho Man

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The South Florida road to the Kentucky Derby began in mildly surprising fashion Saturday at Gulfstream Park when Mihos registered a neck decision over Trophy Chaser in the Mucho Macho Man, with the odds-on Code of Honor finishing a disappointing fourth in his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut.

Mihos won his maiden at second asking in his 3-year-old finale but had yet to compete beyond six furlongs when stepping into the starting gate for the one-mile Mucho Macho Man. With Jose Ortiz aboard for the first time, Mihos, raced near the rear of the compact six-horse field off a sharp early pace set by Gladiator King, swung five wide launching his bid into the stretch, accelerated once finally switching leads near the eighth pole, and gradually wore down Trophy Chaser in the closing yards.

Trophy Chaser, idle since finishing a distant second behind Kentucky Derby prospect Improbable two months ago in the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs, moved readily to the lead on the second bend, settled into the stretch with a seemingly comfortable advantage, but could not contain the winner at the end. It was another 5 1/4 lengths farther back to Garter and Tie.

Code of Honor, making his first start since his second-place finish in the Grade 1 Champagne on Oct. 4, raced four wide around the second turn while within easy striking distance, but retired after six furlongs.

Mihos, a son of Cairo Prince trained by Jimmy Jerkens for Centennial Farms, covered the mile in 1:37.56 and paid $7.80.

“He was resolute, that’s for sure, he just kept coming,” Jerkens said. “That’s kind of typical of him. His first two races he kept coming even when it didn’t look like he had the best of it. He’d give himself a little breather and he’d come again.”

Jerkens said he thought the race unfolded pretty much as he’d expected.

“I thought it would be a lively pace and I pictured him sitting just where he was,” Jerkens said. “We’ll just have to see what his reaction is to the dirt one of these times, he never got that chance today. That’s something he’s just going to have to get used to, but I think he will. He’s good about everything else.”

Jerkens said he doesn’t have a plan set for Mihos just yet, but would look at all the “usual races” among the local Derby preps coming up in the weeks ahead, including the Grade 2 Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth.

“I just wanted to get by this one first, then we’ll sit down and figure it out,” Jerkens said.

Jockey John Velazquez, who rode Code of Honor, said “he was going easy but at the quarter pole, he took a deep breath and let the bridle go.”