A runaway state-bred maiden victory last Saturday from Calumet Farm's Golden Code has his connections pondering a start in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 5 at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the bay son of Honor Code never relinquished through the seven-furlong journey over a muddy Big A main track, gliding home a 10 3/4-length winner under Kendrick Carmouche. The impressive win followed a runner-up debut effort in December to Bold Journey, who finished second as the favorite in Saturday's Gander.
“He's possible for the Gotham if he trains well enough for it,” said Pletcher's Belmont-based assistant Byron Hughes said. “He's always trained well. I don't think we expected him to win that impressively last out. We thought he could win that race, but he exceeded expectations.”
Bred in New York by Barry R. Ostrager, Golden Code is out of the stakes-winning Banker's Gold mare Jb's Golden Regret. He was purchased for $95,000 out of the 2019 Keeneland November Sale.
On Saturday, Hughes saddled debut maiden winner Best Idea for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. The son of Honor Code, bred in New York by Joanne Nielsen, recorded an 85 Beyer, romping to victory by 5 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong state-bred maiden special weight.
Best Idea had trained into his debut with Pletcher's winter division at Palm Beach Downs.
“He was training well in Florida and came up here in good shape,” Hughes said. “He's bred to go longer, so I assume we'll be stretching him out in the near future. We'll see what's in the book.”
Don Alberto Stable's First Constitution, who recorded a 100 Beyer when capturing the Jazil in January, shipped to Palm Beach Downs, where he breezed a half-mile in 49.60 seconds on Saturday. The Chilean-bred son of Constitution was initially under consideration for the $100,000 Stymie on February 26, but Pletcher will likely be represented in the one-turn mile by Wertheimer and Frere homebred Waxman.
Waxman, a 4-year-old son of Empire Maker, was last seen defeating winners going nine furlongs on January 9 at the Big A. He worked a half-mile in 48.80 Saturday over the Belmont dirt training track.
“He breezed well. He's doing well and we're happy with his training,” Hughes said.
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