Derby Remix: Honor A. P. bided his time
Honor A. P. after his Santa Anita Derby (G1) win. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
June 12th, 2020
"Bite my tongue, bide my time
Wearing a warning sign
Wait 'til the world is mine"
Most of the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep season, Honor A. P. has lied in wait. He was unproven yet carried himself with a confidence that still somehow felt deserved. That's just the mood exuded throughout "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Billie Eilish.
There were warning signs that Honor A. P. could be special, all the way back to his mating. From the moment his dam, multiple Grade 1 winner Hollywood Story, met his sire, multiple Grade 1 winner Honor Code, there had to have been hopes. By the time he sold for $850,000 as a yearling, under the name Hollywood Hero, there were expectations. Those only grew the following spring, when his new owners changed his name to pay homage to his grandsire, one of the greatest sires of his breed.
Even with that royal blood and those expectations, Honor A. P.'s rise to the top was not instant. Trainer John Shirreffs raced him just twice at age 2, only in the maiden ranks. He waited to return to the racetrack at 3 and returned in the San Felipe (G2) in March. He chased home a clear second — a good enough effort to suggest he was going the right way, but it still wasn't quite enough to make certain he was a superstar.
"You should see me in a crown
Your silence is my favorite sound
Watch me make 'em bow
One by one by, one
One by one by, one"
In the Santa Anita Derby (G1), it became a lot easier to envision Honor A. P. in a crown — or a blanket of roses. His sweeping outside rally looked good, but his ninth furlong looked even better.
Previously undefeated Authentic could only chase down the rail, as Honor A. P.'s ground-devouring stride leveled off. Authentic was the first one Honor A. P. made bow in Grade 1 company, but if he holds this form, his foes may bow one by one all the way to Kentucky.
Derby Remix is a weekly series that crosses the lines of culture and Kentucky Derby contenders.
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