Kentucky Derby Derby Alumni Update for Dec. 7

Though the week after Thanksgiving was quieter than last, several Derby alumni were still in action, including one making his final start and one beginning a new phase of his career in Dubai, in advance of the Carnival.

• Code of Honor (2nd, 2019 Kentucky Derby) ran his final race before retiring to stud at Lane’s End, the Cigar Mile (G1) on Dec. 4 at Aqueduct. Settled at the rear of a field of eight, he began to improve to midfield past the half. However, he could not get to the leaders down the lane, finishing fifth behind the improving Americanrevolution.
• Attachment Rate (14th, 2020 Kentucky Derby) returned for his first race in almost six months on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs. It was a third-level allowance optional claiming dirt sprint, going seven furlongs on the dirt. Attachment Rate, breaking from the inside after a pair of scratches, settled at the rear of the seven-horse field, passed a few in the latter stages, but crossed the wire a well-beaten fifth behind Ebben.
• Plus Que Parfait (8th, 2019 Kentucky Derby) recorded his greatest triumph in Dubai, the 2019 UAE Derby (G2), and he now is making his home at Meydan. Trained by Doug Watson, Plus Que Parfait returned to the track after a seven-month absence in listed race going 2000 meters on the dirt. Midfield for much of the race, he flattened late to be a non-threatening fifth.
• Medina Spirit (finished 1st, 2021 Kentucky Derby) suddenly collapsed and died after a five-furlong work at Santa Anita on Dec. 6. It was his second published workout after his runner-up effort to Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) a month earlier.
• Mandaloun (2nd, 2021 Kentucky Derby) got a break after his victory in the Haskell (G1), heading to the sidelines for an extended rest due to a sore foot. With an eye toward a Saudi Cup campaign, Mandaloun returned to the worktab at Churchill Downs in late November, posting a pair of three-furlong drills so far for Brad Cox.