Tamarkuz to tackle Honor Code in Kelso

ELMONT, N.Y. – Whitney Handicap winner Honor Code likely will face five rivals in the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Handicap at a mile on the undercard of the Jockey Club Gold Cup next Saturday.

The horses expected to run against Honor Code are Red Vine, Mshawish, Scarly Charly, Tamarkuz, and Vyjack.

On Friday, Tamarkuz worked a sharp half-mile in 48.13 seconds over the Belmont main track, with a final quarter in 23.50 seconds. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.98.

“He often works in company, but the last two times he’s worked on his own,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “That was perfect. He’s doing very well.”

Tamarkuz won the Godophin Mile at Meydan in March. He shipped to the U.S. and in two starts here ran fourth to Honor Code in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and sixth behind Private Zone in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga.

“Private Zone won’t be in there, and the pace won’t be as fast, so that will obviously benefit us,” McLaughlin said. “Honor Code is a star, obviously.”