Castellano looking forward to stakes mounts

"We'll see how the race develops. Maybe I break on the lead and he goes

wire-to-wire. If something happens at the gate, maybe I fall into position and

go from there."

Honor Code is also making his first start of 2015 and just the second

following a Gulfstream allowance last March. The Shug McGaughey trainee was one

of the leading Triple Crown candidates last year before being knocked to the

sidelines with a tendon injury, returning with a dramatic come-from-behind

victory in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claiming race on November 22 at

Aqueduct.

"It was a very impressive race because I thought I couldn't make it in time

going just 6 1/2 furlongs," Castellano said, "but the way he did it was very

impressive, because it's not his distance. He still showed up and he proved he

belongs."

Castellano has been aboard for each of Honor Code's last four starts, and

will have to navigate another trip from the rail in the one-mile Gulfstream Park

H. for older horses.

"The rail doesn't bother me. The horse is going to come from behind, no

matter what," he said. "There's going to be plenty of speed with Private Zone

(Macho Uno) and Wicked Strong (Hard Spun). All those kind of horses are going to

be involved with the early pace in the race. I think it's going to set up for

horse coming from behind. I'm looking forward to riding Honor Code, big time."

Night Prowler has had the services of Castellano for three of his four

starts, including a maiden win in October at Belmont Park and a half-length

victory in the Dania Beach (G3) on January 3 at Gulfstream in his three-year-old

debut. The Chad Brown runner will break from Post 5 of nine in the 1 1/16-mile

Palm Beach.

"I had a perfect trip last time," Castellano said. "We'll see how it develops

and try to tuck him into position. It's very important with this horse to save

ground around the first turn and that's exactly what I did last time. I'm

looking for that same kind of trip this time."

Entering Friday's 11-race card, Castellano led all jockeys at the

Championship meet with 90 wins, 31 more than Luis Saez, and $3,521,676 in purse

earnings. He needs 10 victories to hit 100 for the fourth consecutive year and

would be the first rider in track history to capture four straight winter meet

titles.

"I'm very fortunate to be in the spot and very blessed at the same time,"

Castellano said. "I have support from all different levels of trainers and

owners, and they give me confidence to ride their horses. My agent, Matt Muzikar,

has done a great job the last four years building relationships and trying to

find the best horses to ride. This game is all about maintaining your level and

try to keep going and be humble and try to ride the best race."

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