Bodemeister and The Code

At both the Kentucky Derby and last Saturday’s Preakness Bodemeister ran in first place most of the race, only to be overtaken at the end by I’ll Have Another.  When the owner of Bodemeister was asked what he thought after losing, he said, “Our horse showed up (meaning he was prepared and did not have an off day), he ran his race, and he got beat.  That’s all you can ask.”  How is this statement like the Code?   The Code says, “I will display caring and honorable behavior….”   The owner did not make excuses, or complain in any way;  he simply acknowledged that his horse was beaten by a better horse.  How graceful are you in defeat?  Do you make excuses, or blame fate or bad luck?  Or do you recognize a victory by a worthy opponent?