Code of Honor to Target Top-Level Test Next

Two-time grade 1 winner Code of Honor made a winning return in the June 6 Westchester Stakes (G3). Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said the colt is possible for the July 4 Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park.

"He seems to be fine," McGaughey said. "He looked good yesterday after the race, and he looked good this morning. I'll look at the Met Mile and see what the stakes schedule at Saratoga looks like. He had a very good winter, and the time off really seemed to help him."

Owned by W.S. Farish, the 4-year-old son of Noble Mission , racing on a muddy track, made a sweeping move around the far turn before confronting four-time winner Endorsed at the top of the stretch. The duo battled gamely to the wire, with Code of Honor scoring by a half-length and recording a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his 2020 debut. 

McGaughey also discussed the possibility of racing Code of Honor in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. 

McGaughey and Farish teamed to win the 2015 Met Mile and Whitney with Honor Code . 

Godolphin homebred Endorsed finished second in just his second start under Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Previously campaigned by Kiaran McLaughlin, Endorsed was coming off an allowance optional claiming victory for Mott at Oaklawn Park. 

Leana Willaford, Mott's New York-based assistant, said she was impressed by his effort in the 1 1/6-mile Weschester.

"The opening was there, and I think he wanted to put a little ground on (Code of Honor) since he was the one to beat," Willaford said. "Sometimes, it's best to take the initiative. He hung in there tough and ran a really good race."

Willaford said Endorsed came out of the race in good order.

Chad Brown Stakes Winners to Return in Grade 1s

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown said Sunday that both of his stakes winners emerged from their races in good order.

Intercontinental Stakes (G3T) winner Newspaperofrecord, who raced for the first time in 11 months, will target the June 27 Just a Game Stakes (G1T) at Belmont, a race that could also feature her stablemate Uni.

The 4-year-old daughter of Lope de Vega had a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure in the seven-furlong Intercontinental on the Widener turf course and led a Brown-trained superfecta. 

Brown's superstar turf miler Rushing Fall, who won the Beaugay Stakes (G3T) Wednesday on Belmont's Opening Day, will target the July 11 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland. 

"They look fine," Brown said. "(Newspaperofrecord) ran great and came back super this morning, so I'm happy about that."

Brown also saddled OXO Equine's Instilled Regard in the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T). He said the 5-year-old son of Arch could race back in the July 4 Manhattan Stakes (G1T). 

"I'd like to get back up to a mile and a quarter and see how he does," said Brown, a five-time winner of the Manhattan.

Vekoma could return in Metropolitan

Owner Randy Hill of R. A. Hill Stables was full of praise the morning after Vekoma won the seven-furlong Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1) at Belmont.

Vekoma powered down the stretch to a 7 1/4-length victory, posted a 110 Beyer Speed Figure, and earned a "Win and You're In" berth into the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Hill said the $500,000 Met Mile, which offers a berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), is in play for the 4-year-old son of Candy Ride .

"We're thinking about the Met Mile, but the ultimate goal is the Breeders' Cup," Hill said. "(Trainer) George (Weaver) has done such a great job with this horse, and whatever he says is what we'll end up doing. I thought he was a stallion prospect after he won the (grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes) at Keeneland last year, but yesterday's race made him even more valuable."