Ten-pound apprentice rider Corey Mongan schooled them in the sixth race at Laurel Park, as he piloted Honors Due ($20) to a gate-to-wire victory for trainer John Salzman, Sr.

It was Mongan’s first victory since Aug. 11, 2016, when he scored with Arabian CHNDAKASEXPRESS in the ninth race at Delaware. Mongan also rode two thoroughbred winners at Delaware that season before going on hiatus.

Mongan’s most recent Thoroughbred winner was She’s Going Strong on June 11, 2016, for trainer Gerald Bennett.

“I taught for five years,” Mongan said after weighing out. “I taught elementary physical education. I gallop in the summer. It was always like my hobby. I went back [to teaching], and I was bummed out and depressed. I still had my bug but didn’t know if I would get light enough. Fortunately, some higher being got me to where I was light enough again.”

Mongan didn’t make a start between 2016 and last year, when he had 12 winless mounts. In fact, his best finish in ’24 was a fifth aboard Anxious Heart last November.

He entered today’s action with one second, aboard the Mike Geralis-trained Worries Unfounded earlier this month, from four starts.

But today, in a $12,500 maiden claimer, Honors Due had his running shoes on.

The three-year-old Instagrand gelding, never better than fifth in seven prior outings, popped the latches on top and tugged the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.32 seconds, holding a 1 ½-length lead.

By the time the field reached the quarter-pole, the half gone in 47.44, the advantage was down to a head, and Honors Due appeared to be in deep waters.

But he proved resolute in the lane, holding off Finn d’Oro by a nose to get the money in 1:14.19 for six furlongs over a fast main track. It was three parts of a length farther back to show horse Bye Bye Wicked Eye. 

“He’s awesome,” Mongan said of the winner. “I’ve worked him several times. I told Mr. Salzman all along that I really think there’s something here. I was hoping to get the lead. I’m just glad he held on because I didn’t really know if I got it or not.”

Honors Due is owned by Gracie Mae Stables and Great Lake Stable.

This wasn’t Mongan’s maiden victory, but the jocks didn’t care. The rider received the standard post-race dousing from his fellow riders as he walked back to the jock’s room after the race.