Five Key Takeaways from Belmont’s Stars & Stripes Festival

IMPRESSIVE RETURN: Code of Honor, competing for the first time because he had been elevated to second behind Country House when stewards disqualified Maximum Security for interference in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, claimed himself at the wide-open 3-year-old division with an effortless victory in the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes. “I am excited for the remainder for the summer,” said Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. “This was our game plan and, up to now, step one functioned ” The next step would be the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes as a prep for the Aug. 24 Runhappy Travers Stakes. McGaughey is optimistic that his Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes winner can emerge as leader of this course. “I think he’s as good as any of them,” he explained. “He’s going to have to keep improving as we go along, but I think he’ll do this.” TIMELY BREAKTHROUGH: Though Henley’s Joy had been unable to break through in his first six graded-stakes starts, such as a distant 13th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, owner Jeffrey Bloom and coach Mike Maker were convinced he belonged at the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes. Their faith was rewarded when the Kitten’s Joy colt delivered at 20.80-1 in the opening leg of their Turf Trinity with Jose Lezcano aboard. “It is such a major race to acquire and it is so important,” Bloom said. “However, for this specific horse, he has had the worst racing chance and he’s been so honest, so many rough trips. It was just so gratifying to see him have the ability to show everybody how gifted he is.” PERFECT TIMING: Trainers. George”Rusty” Arnold wasn’t any different when he chose to stage Concrete Rose toward the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes following her emphatic victory in the Grade 3 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 3. He opted to forego a prep race. “She’s a small filly. There is not a lot to her,” he clarified. “I do not have to train down her nothing.” His willingness to back was rewarded with a powerful win in the opening leg of their inaugural Turf Tiara. The Twirling Candy filly will not have as much time to get her next start’s luxury. Arnold is focused on the middle leg of the Turf Tiara, the $750,000 Saratoga Oaks on Aug. 2 at 1??3/16 miles at Saratoga Race Course. “We will run in the next one, if there’s no problem,” he explained. “It’s a fantastic series. We want to support it.”