Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Honor Marie

Nov 28, 2023 John Mucciolo

Ribble Farms’ Honor Marie earned 10 points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his two-length victory in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on November 25. The winner negotiated 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval in 1:44.31 with regular pilot Rafael Bejarano in the silks.

The son of Honor Code commenced his career on September 29 in a six-furlong maiden special weight run beneath the Twin Spires and went last-to-first in graduating on debut for conditioner Whitworth Beckman. He returned in an allowance test at seven furlongs at Keeneland for his second career assignment, and the bay finished a clear runner-up over a sloppy, sealed surface. His lifetime line now reads 3-2-1-0, $318,175.

“He’s a very nice horse and we were confident with his pedigree, and the way he trained, he’d enjoy longer distances,” Beckman stated. “It’s very exciting to have a horse like this and win our first graded stakes with him.”

#2 Honor Marie comes from off the pace to win the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club S. at 8/1 at for trainer Whit Beckman with Rafael Bejarano in the irons! 🏆

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/cWQkYK8JEo

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 25, 2023

Honor Marie was bred in the Bluegrass State and purchased for $40,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The colt was produced from the Smart Strike mare Dame Marie, who concluded her career with a second-place result in the 2014 Distaff Turf Mile (G2). He counts himself as a half-brother to 2020 Bourbon S. (G2) runner-up Abarta, and his dam is a half-sister to champion Rule of Law, who capped his career with a victory in the 2004 English St Leger S. (G1), as well.

The May foal shows ascending Brisnet Speed figures of 80-90-96 from his trio of outings to date, which includes a 102 Late Pace number while making his route debut last time out. He is bred for stamina on both sides of his pedigree, and I feel that the sophomore has a lot of room for improvement going forward, too.

As for future plans for the budding star, his trainer said “We’ll probably take him down to Fair Grounds after this. They have a good program for 3-year-olds.”