Honor Code comes from the clouds in devastating debut

Could Honor Code take trainer Shug McGaughey back to the Kentucky Derby in 2014? (Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos) The Shug McGaughey-trained Honor Code did his best Orb impression in his debut in Saturday’s 3RD race at Saratoga, storming from nearly 23 lengths back in the slop to win going away by 4 1/2 lengths. Owned by breeder Dell Ridge Farm in partnership with Lane’s End Racing, the A.P. Indy colt propelled himself into early discussion about the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Although Hall of Famer McGaughey is not known for winning with first-time starters, Honor Code tipped his hand with a fast five-furlong work in :59 3/5 out of the gate on August 18. The blueblood juvenile, who is a half-brother to current American Turf hero Noble Tune, and thus descended from Hall of Famer Serena’s Song, was dispatched as the 3-1 second choice here. Ridden by another Hall of Famer in John Velazquez, Honor Code dropped back to a long-way last in the early going. As 6-5 favorite Misconnect and Jackson N Lorimer sped to the fore, Honor Code was 14 lengths off the pace through an opening quarter in :22 4/5. His deficit ballooned to 22 3/4 lengths when the leaders reached the half-mile mark in :46. In fact, the eventual winner was detached from the rest of the field. But Honor Code began to close the gap with alacrity rounding the far turn, and found a path along the rail down the stretch. Meanwhile, Misconnect had put away Jackson N Lorimer and edged clear, getting six furlongs in 1:10 4/5. A green Purple Sky was trying to split horses to launch his bid, when Honor Code suddenly exploded into view. Blowing the field away in a few strides, he quickly opened up by 4 1/2 lengths and splashed seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5 on the sloppy, sealed track.

“He’s a big, nice horse,” McGaughey said. “He’s had a reputation for a while.
Johnny came over and worked him in the gate one day, and he worked real well.

“I knew he wouldn’t be quick, but I knew he would finish. I didn’t think he’d
get back as far back as he did, and (Velazquez) didn’t, either.

“He said, ‘I’m just going to drop him in and school him, let him get the mud
in his face.’ And then he said when he reached back and hit him, he just took
off with him. Even if he got beat, I’m glad he stayed (inside) just so the horse
would learn.”

Misconnect was best of the rest by two lengths, and Purple Sky held third.
Jackson N Lorimer tired to sixth in the eight-horse field.

The Kentucky-bred Honor Code opened his account with a $48,000 deposit.
McGaughey noted that the Grade 1, $400,000 Champagne on October 5 at Belmont
Park could be next on the agenda.

“(The Champagne) isn’t out of the question,” the trainer said. “I’ll talk to
(the owners) and go from there. He can run three or four times (as a
two-year-old).”

Honor Code is the second registered foal from the stakes-winning Storm Cat
mare Serena’s Cat, who is herself a half-sister to multiple Group 3 winner
Vocalised.

Honor Code’s second dam is multiple stakes heroine Serena’s Tune, a
half-sister to Group 1 queen Sophisticat, Grade 2 winners Grand Reward and
Harlington and Grade 3 victor Schramsberg. They are all out of champion and $3.2
million earner Serena’s Song, whose legacy as a broodmare rivals her performance
on the racetrack.

This is also the family of early Melbourne Cup favorite Puissance de Lune, a
stunning winner of the August 17 P.B. Lawrence at Caulfield in his comeback from
surgery.

Being by A.P. Indy and out of a Storm Cat mare, Honor Code is inbred 3×4 to
1973 Triple Crown legend Secretariat.

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