Complexity Keeps Back Code of Honor to Win Kelso
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Dom Napolitano
Complexity (center) en route to victory in the Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park
The $139,500 Kelso Handicap (G2) Oct. 3 was not the first time Complexity got the better of Code of Honor in graded action at Belmont Park.
Over the same course and one-mile distance in October of 2018, Complexity turned back the same rival in the Champagne Stakes (G1). Though Code of Honor stumbled at the start of the Champagne, he did not find the same excuse in the Kelso, which marked the first graded win for Complexity in two years. The Kelso victory was a larger accomplishment considering that Code of Honor has won five graded stakes since the Champagne, including last season's Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at 1 1/4 miles.
By Maclean's Music , 4-year-old Complexity picked up an allowance optional claiming score in New York in November 2019 and another one July 2—his first start back since December—but showed Saturday he still has the same credentials that carried him to graded glory for Klaravich Stables as a juvenile.
Jose Ortiz was in the irons for trainer Chad Brown.
"He was very relaxed and Jose rode him terrific. It worked out well," Brown said. "I thought Javier (Castellano) rode a smart race with Code of Honor. He didn't let us get too far away and he was up next to us in the stretch and I was actually a little worried. I have a lot of respect for Code of Honor. They threw it down in the stretch and we just had a little bit more today."
Entering the Kelso off a half-length loss in the Aug. 29 Forego Stakes Presented by America's Best Racing (G1) in the slop at Saratoga Race Course, Complexity broke on top but settled in second as Endorsed vied for the lead. Endorsed set fractions of :23.30 and :46.61 as Stan the Man raced in third, and Code of Honor brought up the rear of the four-horse field.
With Endorsed tiring, Complexity took over in the turn and was in front when he turned into the homestretch, running six furlongs in 1:10.05. Code of Honor was on the move, but could never catch the leader. Complexity continued on to a 2 1/4-length win. Behind Code of Honor, Stan the Man was 7 1/4 lengths back in third. Endorsed finished fourth.
The final time over the fast track was 1:33.82.
"Today, it was a match race between me and the horse (Code of Honor) outside of me," Ortiz said. "When Javier wanted to come, I wanted to make him rush a little bit and not get to me early because I know the other horse is very nice. I used my speed because he was pretty close when I looked back the first time and I decided to pass the 3-horse (Endorsed) early on by the three-eighths pole. I knew I had a lot of horse from there."
Brown said he will keep Complexity eligible for both the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland, but is currently leaning toward the Dirt Mile.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Complexity is out of the Yes It's True mare Goldfield, also dam of grade 3 winner Valadorna. Goldfield has a yearling Pioneerof the Nile colt and foaled a Curlin filly in April.
Complexity has a 5-1-0 record from nine starts and earnings of $566,350.