Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. I) winner Honor In War, recovering from a sprained ankle that knocked him out of the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), won't be ready in time for Churchill Downs' Clark Handicap (gr. II) on the main track Nov. 28. Trainer Paul J. McGee had been considering a run for the 3rd Turn Stables star in the $500,000-added Clark Handicap or the $150,000-added River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the turf on Nov. 16. But McGee said the 4-year-old son of Lord At War has yet to advance beyond light training since his return to the track in late October.
"We're probably going to turn him out," said McGee. "He's not going to make this meet here, so there's really nothing to shoot for."
McGee said Honor In War would spend a couple of months on a local farm and would head to Florida early next year to prep for his 5-year-old season.
"We wanted to make one of those races here," he said, "but you can't force it."
Honor in War also won the Arlington Park Handicap (gr. III) this year, completing his season with a runner-up finish to Perfect Soul in the Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. I) at Keeneland. He compiled a record of 4-1-1 in nine races this year and improved his career slate to 7-2-3 in 17 races. McGee's colt has earned $732,296.
