Code of Honor Records Final Keeneland-Based Derby Work

Code of Honor | Coady

William S. Farish's Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) completed his final Keeneland-based preparatory move ahead of the May 4 GI Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong work in 1:01 over a sloppy track Saturday morning. Sent to the track at 7:30 with jockey John Velazquez aboard, the homebred reeled off fractions of :25.20, :49 and 1:01, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.60 and seven panels in 1:27. (Youtube Video). It was the chestnut's second work at Keeneland following a third-place effort in the GI Florida Derby Mar. 30. He worked a half-mile here on April 12 in :49 over a fast track.

“It was very good, very nice,” said Velazquez, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 with Animal Kingdom and in 2017 with Always Dreaming. “There was a nice inside path where nobody had been galloping and he handled [the conditions] very well.”

Noting the changes in the colt's disposition based on the change in venue Velazquez added, “I had worked him at Payson [Park Training Center in Florida] and he was more laid-back down there. Once he gets on a race track [to work], he's more aggressive.”

According to Shug McGaughey, Code of Honor is expected to ship to Churchill Downs Apr. 24, and his final pre-Derby work either Apr. 28 or Apr. 29, depending on weather.

“I was pleased with that this morning and I'm glad that's over with,” said McGaughey, who won the 2013 Derby with Orb. “I wanted him to go in 1:01 and that's what he did, and I had him going out [six furlongs] in 1:13 and change and seven-eighths in 1:26 and change.”

 

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