Honor Code in Final Classic Work at Belmont

It was a dreary and damp morning at Belmont Park Oct. 25, but trainer Shug McGaughey's mood was decidedly bright after Honor Code put in his final move for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

Under the cover of darkness, shortly before 7 a.m. EDT, Honor Code worked a half-mile from the three-eighths pole on Belmont's main track, which was labeled fast despite some light rain falling. With exercise rider Donna McMullen in the saddle, the 4-year-old ridgling son of A.P. Indy was given a time of :48 for the work.

McGaughey said his assistant, Robbie Medina, clocked Honor Code in ":35 and change" for the last three-eighths, and :12 for the final eighth.

"After the way I saw him gallop yesterday, I wasn't nervous today at all, (even) if he went in :52, it would have been fine,"  McGaughey said. "He was just so eager yesterday. He covers so much ground in his gallops."

After the breeze, McGaughey, who is seeking his first Breeders' Cup Classic win, remarked his confidence level was "high" heading into the Oct. 31 race at Keeneland.

"I wish they ran the race yesterday," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I think it's a terrific race, and I think it will be a true-run race. I hope we get him down there and he does every bit as good as he has done here."

Honor Code, who races for Dell Ridge Farm and Lane's End Racing, finished third in Belmont's Kelso Handicap (gr. II), his prep for the Classic. Honor Code made his customary late move to finish 3 3/4 lengths behind the winner Appealing Tale. The Kelso was run over a sloppy and sealed track.

McGaughey said perhaps the loss will prove to be beneficial.

"You never know, but that could have helped him—maybe pushed him forward," the Hall of Famer said. "I think his last three weeks have been the best three weeks I have seen him have. One day, we had to bring him in (from grazing) because he was playing and raising hell. One day, he reared up in the shed. Things like that I have never seen him do before."

Honor Code leaves on a Oct. 26 plane for Kentucky. McGaughey said his sole starter at this year's Breeders' Cup will walk the shed under tack Oct. 27 and then gallop up to the race.

"We will school in the paddock Thursday," McGaughey said. "He doesn't need it, I will just do it to calm my nerves and give me something to do."