Code of Honor proved best in the mid-summer Derby, The Runhappy Travers, thanks to a flawless ride by John Velazquez and a typically masterful training job by Shug McGaughey. Kept towards the back of the field early as the pace was fair but more towards the faster side for the mile and a quarter and caliber of horses, Velazquez was able to pick up horses approaching the half mile pole and go to the middle of track in the stretch where he unleashed a strong rally to win going away. Things were a bit contested early as Jose Ortiz aboard Tacitus, equipped with blinkers for the first time, was up on the pace and seemingly comfortable being there. Joe Talamo, riding the Bob Baffert trained Mucho Gusto, also had his sights set on the front so those two kept each other company while Johnny sat back watching things unfold, likely with a big grin on his face. The final time for Code of Honor was 2:01.05.
For the first time in history, fans nationwide watched the Runhappy Travers action unfold on the FOX Broadcast Network as part of a special one-hour telecast. Overall, the FOX Sports family of networks broadcast 6 ½ hours of live racing action from Saratoga which included all seven graded stakes on Travers Day.
