Aging ‘War Horse Tries to Recapture Lost Honor

A four-time winner in 2003, including a 24-1 upset in a Grade I, Honor In War has been slumping this year.

The 5-year-old son of Lord At War is winless in six starts and he hit bottom in his most recent appearance on Nov. 5. The 9-10 favorite in a $68,300 allowance at Churchill Downs, Honor In War finished last.

Owned by 3rd Turn Stables LLC and trained by Paul McGee, Honor In War will try to turn things around today under new jockey Pat Day in the $150,000 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs.

A Grade III at 1 1/8 miles on the grass, the River City attracted a full field of 12 -- does Churchill Downs ever have anything less than a full field? -- including recent winners Quest Star and G P Fleet.

A 5-year-old Broad Brush horse owned by Mansell Stables and trained by Elliott Walden, Quest Star went wire-to-wire at the same distance over the same course Nov. 5. Now two for four on the local lawn, Quest Star will be ridden by Larry Melancon.

Race of the day: Hello Lucky, who won the Anoakia Stakes on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita, will make her Hollywood Park debut in today’s $100,000 Moccasin Stakes at seven furlongs. Owned by Charles Cono and trained by Chris Paasch, the 2-year-old Lucky Lionel filly will be opposed by four horses -- No Bull Baby (the runner-up), Swift Wings, She’s A Jewel and Bertha Jo -- who chased her in the Anoakia. Northern Mischief, Island Escape and Short Route complete the field.

One for the road: Tychonics Mistress is much improved of late for leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and can make it three wins in a row in today’s first at Golden Gate Fields. Ron Warren Jr., far and away the best grass rider in that part of the state, will ride the 3-year-old Tychonic filly for owner Thomas Valenzuela in the $30,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Capitola and Costume Designer in the fifth, Sweet Lips and Letra de Cambio in the sixth and Kouri Jill, Burnished Steel and Exclusive Deposit in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/34. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.20/$186.40. Total money bet: $216.