Honor Code Storms Home In the Met Mile
Honor Code made a huge run in the stretch to capture the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap by 3 3/4 lengths. He will have a spot reserved for him in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile because the Met Mile is a Win and You’re In Event.
It was an eventful break as the quartet of Private Zone, Bay of Plenty, Bayern, and Pants On Fire went for the lead, but Bay of Plenty took up sharply to fall back in fourth by 4 lengths. Tamarkuz was fifth, Noble Moon was sixth, Tonalist was seventh, Kobe’s Back was eighth, Wicked Strong was ninth, and Honor Code was last of ten nearly 15 lengths behind.
The duo of Private Zone and Bayern sprinted away from the field with an opening quarter of 22.42 and opening half mile in 44.92. Leaving the turn and entering the stretch it appeared that Tamarkuz was going to sweep right on by, but he hung badly in the stretch. Coming up four wide in the stretch was Tonalist, but he was not moving as fast as Honor Code who came from ninth at the six furlong marker.
Honor Code was a bit erratic in the stretch, but he was clearly the best. He won by 3 3/4 lengths with Tonalist getting up for second over Private Zone who did well to hang on for third after setting a fast pace.
The remaining order of finish was Tamarkuz (4th), Wicked Strong (5th), Kobe’s Back, Pants On Fire, Noble Moon, Bay of Plenty, and Bayern. The entire chart can be found here via Equibase.
Honor Code is a four year old by A.P. Indy out of the Storm Cat mare Serena’s Cat. He is trained by Claude “Shug” McGaughey and was ridden by Javier Castellano. He completed the one turn mile in 1:33.18. He paid $16.20 to win, $6.40 to place, and $4.30 to show.
The Met Mile was the second race at Belmont to be part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series on Saturday. The other race was the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes won by Wedding Toast.
There are three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Races on Saturday, June 13. Two of the races will be at Churchill Downs (Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap and Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap) with the third race at Santa Anita Park (Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile).
