Code of Honor Returns Victorious in Westchester

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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Code of Honor wins the Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park

What was already taking shape as a blockbuster year for older dirt males turned even spicier June 6 with a highly professional 4-year-old debut by Will Farish's Code of Honor.

Running for the first time since he finished a dull seventh in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) over a track he disliked, the homebred son of Noble Mission  handled a rain-soaked muddy track at Belmont Park with aplomb as he collared a game Endorsed in the final strides to take the $100,000 Westchester Stakes (G3) by a half-length.


"I'm very satisfied," trainer Shug McGaughey said. "I thought he ran very well. I don't think (jockey John Velazquez) rode him that hard and he beat a good horse in Endorsed. Plus they were way in front of the rest of the field. Hopefully this will move us along to where we want to go."

That next spot for the 2019 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) winner will be either the July 4 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park or the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course a month later. Yet regardless of which race McGaughey and Farish choose, Saturday's sharp comeback victory only underscores the considerable respect Code of Honor will get wherever he turns up.

"Shug looks like he's got to be the horse to beat in all the major races," said Bill Mott, who trains Endorsed.

Code of Honor wins the 2020 Westchester Stakes              
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Code of Honor turns back Endorsed en route to victory

Don't expect an argument on that from the other Hall of Fame trainer in the Westchester exacta.

"I wouldn't back away from anyone," McGaughey said. "He carried 124 pounds, won off a seven-month layoff on an off track without a lot of pushing, and chased down a nice horse who got an easy lead and didn't come back to him."

Code of Honor's last appearance on a wet track came in last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) when he made a bold move along the rail turning for home but had to settle for being elevated to second after the controversial disqualification of Maximum Security. That effort led to three straight wins as he captured the Dwyer Stakes (G3) and Travers and was declared the winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) via disqualification. The loss in the Classic opened the door for Maximum Security to be named the champion 3-year-old colt, but Code of Honor surely seems to have put that loss behind him.

"I felt we put a good bottom in him at Payson Park (in Florida) and then we just sharpened him up when he got up here," McGaughey said. "I thought his work on Monday was good as any he's put in."

The win was the sixth in 11 starts for Code of Honor ($4.50), a son of the Dixie Union mare Reunited who increased his bankroll to $2,413,320 while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.39 on a muddy track as the 6-5 favorite. Reunited, who has had seven winners from seven starters, including the grade 2-placed Speightstown  gelding Big League, produced a Karakontie  colt in 2018 and an Honor Code  colt in 2019, and aborted her 2020 foal.

The Westchester was the second start Godolphin's Endorsed made for the Mott barn, following a May 2 allowance optional claiming score at Oaklawn Park. Previously trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, who retired to become the agent for jockey Luis Saez, Endorsed scooted to the lead along the rail late on the turn when the pace-setting Prendimi and Joevia faltered and held on with determination when challenged from the outside by Code of Honor.

It was six lengths back to 59-1 shot Forewarned, a son of Flat Out  owned and trained by Uriah St. Lewis.

"He ran good and had a good trip," Mott said about the son of Medaglia d'Oro  who was fourth behind Code of Honor in the Travers. "We were lucky enough to get first run on the winner, but when we went into this race we knew he was a good horse. That horse beat us fair and square. I'm not sure what's next. Two of the races I would have considered, the Met Mile and (June 27) Stephen Foster (G2), are coming back a bit quick."

Video: Westchester S. (G3)