Code of Honor Primed for Dwyer Comeback

[Wandering Eyes]

William Farish’s Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) enters Saturday’s GIII Dwyer S. off an excellent second-place effort in this year’s controversial GI Kentucky Derby. The talented chestnut punched his ticket to the Derby after capturing Gulfstream’s GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 2 before checking in a troubled third behind Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in the Mar. 30 GI Florida Derby. Code of Honor crossed the finish line in third under the Twin Spires before being elevated into the place spot upon Maximum Security’s disqualification.

Since the Kentucky Derby, Code of Honor has been training steadily over the Belmont oval for conditioner Shug McGaughey, who has no qualms about bypassing the GI Preakness S. and GI Belmont S.

“I knew going in that if we didn’t win the Derby we would wait on him. That was our game plan,” McGaughey said. “He’s been training excellent. He’s mentally matured and physically matured and has done everything right since the Derby.”

Rowayton (Into Mischief) snagged a 97 Beyer Speed Figure when defeating older horses sprinting in a sharp first-level allowance performance June 6 over the Long Island track. It was the first victory for the OXO Equine-owned colt since he scored in his debut last summer at Del Mar. In his only attempt at the Dwyer’s 1 1/16-mile distance, he chased home champion

2-year-old Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) when completing the trifecta in Santa Anita’s GI American Pharoah S. Rowayton will head to the post with Donald Chatlos listed as his new trainer since his previous conditioner Jerry Hollendorfer, was recently barred from competing at NYRA-operated tracks.

Breaking from the one spot and returning from a lengthy lay-off is Centennial Stables’ Mihos (Cairo Prince). The bay showed a great deal of promise earlier this winter at Gulfstream when handily defeating Code of Honor in the Jan 5. Mucho Macho Man S. He hasn’t been seen since fading to fifth in the GII Holy Bull S. Feb. 2. Mihos has readied for his return to the races at trainer Jimmy Jerkens’ Belmont home base, clocking two bullet works in the last three weeks, including a July 2 half-mile in :47 3/5 (1/30).

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