Coming off a spectacular 3 3/4-length victory over Tonalist (Tapit) in the GI Metropolitan H. at Belmont June 6, 'TDN Rising Star' Honor Code (A.P. Indy) tuned up for the $1.25-million GI Whitney H. Aug. 8 with a five-furlong breeze through the Saturday morning fog that was clocked in 1:01.
“You couldn't really see him because it was foggy, but he went fine and everybody was pleased,” commented trainer Shug McGaughey. “He came back fine and he's on track for the Whitney.”
The 4-year-old ridgling, who missed the 2014 Triple Crown season via injury, won his first two starts back, including a defeat of top sprinter/miler Private Zone (Macho Uno) in the GII Gulfstream Park H. going that track's one-turn mile Mar. 7. He stretched out to a two-turn route in Churchill's GII Alysheba S. May 1, but lagged far back and could only stay on into fifth. He employed similar deep closing tactics when last seen in the Met and looked to have it all to do midway through the race, but flew down the center of the track to score in one of the more impressive performances of the year.
In addition to Tonalist, the Whitney is expected to draw GI Stephen Foster H. hero Noble Bird (Birdstone), who breezed five furlongs in :59.80 Saturday; V. E. Day (English Channel), last year's GI Travers S. winner; and 'TDN Rising Star' Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song).
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