Classic Runners Exit Race in Good Shape

The GI Breeders’ Cup Classic runners are all doing well following their respective finishes behind a sensational career finale from champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile).

Tri-Bone Stables’ Dr. Russell Cohen was thrilled with his horse Effinex (Mineshaft)’s runner-up effort Saturday.

“He’s sound as a dollar, we could enter him back this week,” said Cohen. “He ran against perhaps the best horse to run in 100 years. For him to be in contention with Pharoah the whole way, I’m pretty proud of him. He may run again this year, but he will definitely run again next year.”

Third-place finisher and “TDN Rising Star” Honor Code (A.P. Indy) was officially retired from racing following his effort in the Classic and will take up stud duties at Lanes End Farm, the home of his famous sire.

“Obviously it’s a void in your stable, but I know he’s going home healthy,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He’s going to a great place and he’s going to get great mares. He’s going to be well taken care of.”

Following spectacular victories in the GI Metropolitan H. and GI Whitney S., Honor Code is one of the leading contenders for Champion Older Dirt Male.

“His competition would be Liam’s Map, and he ran against him once and beat him,” McGaughey said of his charge’s chances at an Eclipse.

Donegal Racing’s Keen Ice (Curlin), who is the only horse to beat the Triple Crown winner this year when taking the GI Travers S. Aug. 29, finished fourth in the Classic and has returned to trainer Dale Romans’s Churchill Downs base.

Donegal Racing’s Jerry Crawford said a decision would be made within 10 days on whether or not the sophomore would race again next year pending a deal for breeding rights.

“He’ll get a little break,” Crawford said. “We haven’t made the plan going forward yet. We have had a lot of inquiries about stud plans. We’ll have to sort that out and see if [a buyer] allows us to race him as a 4-year-old.”

Godolphin Racing’s GII Pennsylvania Derby winner Frosted (Tapit), who finished a close seventh in a blanket finish alongside Tonalist (Tapit) and Hard Aces (Hard Spun), is headed to Florida and is expected to remain in training next season.

“We were disappointed, obviously,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He trained great. We thought that we could lay second to fourth and maybe American Pharoah would back up, but American Pharoah, congratulations, ran the best race of his life, to me.”

McLaughlin was also represented Saturday by GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf fourth-place finisher Sentiero Italia (Medaglia d’Oro) and GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint fourth-place finisher Cavorting (Bernardini).