Protonico and Honor Code Square Off in $400,000 Alysheba Stakes

Topping the competitive field as the morning line favorite at odds of 7-5 is Protonico for trainer Todd Pletcher. A four-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway, he has won half of his ten starts and returned impressively off of a brief freshening to win the Ben Ali (G3) at Keeneland last time out. A three-time graded stakes winner, he will have John Velazquez aboard and they are scheduled to break from post position two.

Honor Code going for third straight victory

Second choice at 8-5 on the morning line is Honor Code for trainer Claude McGaughey, III. A four-year-old from the final crop of prolific stallion A.P. Indy, he has won four of his six starts and was last seen winning the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) with an impressive move from off of the pace. Regular rider Javier Castellano will be in the irons and they will break from post position seven.

Ride on Curlin trying to return to form

Also in the field at morning line odds of 4-1 is Ride on Curlin for trainer William Gowan. A four-year-old son of Curlin, he has won three of his fourteen starts and is trying to rebound after finishing sixth and last in the Razorback Handicap (G3) last time out. Prior to that, he had a win and a runner-up finish since returning off of a six-month layoff. Robby Albarado will be aboard and they will break from post four.