Honor Code Impresses McGaughey

Speaking by telephone from South Florida, where he soon will be joined by Grade 2 Remsen hero Honor Code, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said the A.P. Indy colt came out of his victory in good order and will be prepared for a 2014 Triple Crown campaign.

"What impressed me the most was how he handled the day; he shipped over [from Belmont Park] well and broke a lot better," said McGaughey. "They went three-quarters in 1:17 but he was right there. He made the lead, lost it and then refocused. They went the last part in 11 and change and he beat a very nice horse [Cairo Prince] who'd run twice since Honor Code's last race."

Honor Code is now 2-1-0 from three career starts, having broken his maiden in a last-to-first effort going seven furlongs at Saratoga Race Course and then finishing second to Havana in the Grade 1 Foxwoods Champagne at a mile at Belmont Park.

"I was watching the replay and he galloped out well, which is what [jockey Javier Castellano] said in our conversation after the race," the trainer said.

McGaughey said Honor Code most likely would begin his 3-year-old campaign in Florida but left open the option of returning to New York for the Grade 1 Wood Memorial.

"He's going to be here in Florida; we'll watch him and see how he's doing," he said. "I've got nothing specific in my head other than he'll start when and where he tells us."