The Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) is one of the few big U.S. races to elude trainer Shug McGaughey, which would make things extra special if the trainer who grew up in Lexington could land the $5 million race with Honor Code Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
"To win this race would be a huge thrill. It's a race I haven't won but I have come close a few times," McGaughey said. "Keeneland and Lexington are special places to me so that would add to it. It would be a thrill."
McGaughey has captured nine Breeders' Cup races during his Racing Hall of Fame career and he has just missed in the Classic a couple of times from five starters, sending out Seeking the Gold in 1988 and Easy Goer in 1989 to runner-up finishes in the 1 1/4-mile race.
In one of the more memorable editions of the Classic in 1989 at Gulfstream Park, classic rivals Sunday Silence and Easy Goer renewed their rivalry with Sunday Silence and Chris McCarron holding off a late charge from Easy Goer and Pat Day to prevail by a neck.
The 1989 result marked the second straight close second for McGaughey. In fact the same jockeys were involved as McCarron and Alysheba edged Seeking the Gold and Day by a half-length in the 1988 Classic at Churchill Downs.
Two of McGaughey's five Classic runners, Easy Goer in 1989 and Vanlandingham in 1985, entered the Classic off wins in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. When it came to a decision on Honor Code's final start before the Classic, McGaughey opted for the one-mile Kelso Handicap (gr. II) rather than the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Although Honor Code finished third as the 3-5 favorite in the Kelso, McGaughey believes the 4-year-old from the final crop of A.P. Indy will move forward off that effort.Photo: Chad B. Harmon
McGaughey is pleased with how Honor Code is preparing for the Classic.
"It was just kind of a feeling I had about the Kelso, go the mile and kind of sharpen him up a little bit," McGaughey said. "I won the Gold Cup a few times and ran back in the Breeders' Cup Classic to no avail, so that might have had something to do with my thinking.
"He came out of the race with some really good training. It's the best that I've seen him. I don't know if he's getting older, mature or what but everything's been really good."
Campaigned by Lane's End Racing and breeder Dell Ridge Farm, Honor Code has had enough versatility this year to win the one-turn mile Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) June 6 at Belmont Park and the 1 1/8-mile Whitney Stakes (gr. I) going two turns at Saratoga Race Course. Just the ninth horse to win those two races in the same season, McGaughey is pleased with how Honor Code is preparing for the Classic.
"All of his works have been good. He had a good trip down here and has been training well here," McGaughey said. "We look forward to Saturday."
