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Code of Honor, North Dakota Eye Pegasus World Cup Races

Shug McGaughey horses could return in grade 1 dirt and turf events at Gulfstream.

Code of Honor breezes July 27 on the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course

Code of Honor breezes July 27 on the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course

Skip Dickstein

Trainer Shug McGaughey has the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park in mind for W.S. Farish homebred Code of Honor, who joined the conditioner's winter division at Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla., after a runner-up finish in the Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs

The 4-year-old Noble Mission colt was sixth early on, made steady progress throughout the race, and launched a four-wide move at the three-sixteenths pole but came up a length shy of Bodexpress 

"I thought he ran fine," McGaughey said. "I was disappointed he didn't win, but once he got freed up, the other horse jumped away from him and we just couldn't catch him. He's at Payson Park this morning, and we'll point for the Pegasus."

Bodexpress could also return in the Pegasus World Cup, run at the same 1 1/8-mile distance as the Clark.

McGaughey also said Allen Stable homebred North Dakota could target the 1 3/16-mile Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T). 

North Dakota tracked 14 lengths off the pace before launching a devastating stretch run to get up in the final jumps to secure a half-length score in the Red Smith Stakes (G3T) Nov. 21 on the Big A turf. 

"I think he has a lot of upside," McGaughey said. "It looks like he's just learning how to run. Not sure where I want to run him next, maybe the Pegasus Turf. I wish it were a little farther. That would suit him better, but we'll see."

The 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro  colt is a half brother to Claiborne Farm stallion War Front , graded stakes winners Teammate and Ecclesiastic, and Gracie Square, the dam of Friday's Comely Stakes (G3) winner, Mrs. Danvers.

Mrs. Danvers is another Allen homebred trained by McGaughey.

"Some of her races here earlier, she just looked like she didn't want to win," McGaughey said. "She trained really, really well off her last race. She had a great work galloping out going into the race. I didn't know what was going to happen, with 3-year-old fillies going a mile and an eighth most of them for the first time. Jose (Lezcano) rode a good race."

Another competitor for the Pegasus World Cup could be Don Alberto Stable's homebred Forza Di Oro, who made the grade in Saturday's Discover Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack racing nine furlongs. 

"I thought it was a very good effort. I'm very pleased with him," trainer Bill Mott said said.

Mott said the Pegasus World Cup is a possible next spot for Forza Di Oro.

"Naturally, it's on the schedule, so we'd have to have a look at it," Mott said. "That would take some conversations with the owners to decide on that, but it's something that might come up."