Honor Code Leads Classic Contenders to Track
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Honor Code took a spin around Keeneland in the driving rain Oct. 28.
Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Honor Code took a spin around Keeneland in the driving rain Oct. 28, getting his first view of the Lexington track where he'll face Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and champion racemare Beholder Oct. 31.
The Shug McGaughey trainee went through the paddock and then galloped over a sloppy main track before returning to Barn 60, where Beholder walked the shedrow under tack. Trainer Richard Mandella said the 5-year-old mare will probably follow the same routine later in the day. She will go to the main track to gallop Oct. 29, Mandella said, and will school in the paddock during the raceday.
"She continues to do just great," Mandella said at mid-morning, three days removed from Saturday's Classic.
Fellow Classic contender Smooth Roller is also stabled in Barn 60, and jogged on the main track as he has done since he arrived Oct. 19. from California.
NOVAK: American Pharoah Shedrows at Keeneland
Godolphin Racing's Frosted was another Classic contender who got his first trip over the track after arriving at Keeneland early the morning of Oct. 27 following an overnight van ride from New York. The Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) winner galloped for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, as did McLaughlin's Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) contender Wedding Toast. Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) contender Cavorting and FIlly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) runner Sentiero Italia also galloped after arriving on the same van.
"We just went once around and came back. We're happy," McLaughlin said. "Tomorrow we'll play it by ear. We might do the same thing. If the track is better we might back up and gallop a mile and three-eighths.
"We're happy that they've done all their works. We're just here to get them around there and get them into the gate on Friday and Saturday.
Donegal Racing's Keen Ice, who handed American Pharoah his lone defeat of the season last time out in the Aug. 29 Travers Stakes (gr. I), went out to the track for the first time as well and jogged two miles. Along with three other Breeders' Cup contenders trained by Dale Romans, the Curlin colt arrived at Keeneland the afternoon of Oct. 27 after a 75-mile van trip from Romans' Churchill Downs base.
Romans cautiously opted to give Keen Ice only light exercise because of the slick track conditions. He was ridden by Faustino Aguilar.
"Galloping won't make us win but a bad step could make us lose," Romans said.
Keen Ice is expected to be on the track around 9:00 a.m. the morning of Oct. 29.
Two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Tonalist and Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I) winner Hard Aces trained as well. Not out on the track were Suburban Handicap (gr. II) winner Effinex, who walked the shedrow, and Gleneagles, who will clear quarantine the morning of Oct. 29.
"Considering the weather and the track condition, everything went well," said Christophe Clement's assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul of Tonalist's training. "Tonalist galloped 1 1/8 mile on the main track with his regular exercise rider Lee Vickers. The track was sloppy, and last time he ran, he won the (Jockey Club) Gold Cup in the slop. Today he was gliding over it. His stride was very fluid today. He is doing super."