Classic-Placed Hofburg Could Return in Curlin Stakes
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Hofburg trains at Belmont Park
In his first start since finishing third in the June 9 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), Juddmonte Farms' homebred Hofburg could strike an imposing figure in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes July 27 at Saratoga Race Course as he looks to use the 1 1/8-mile test as a springboard to next month's Travers Stakes (G1).
From the barn of Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the homebred colt by Tapit will be making his first start since finishing 3 1/2 lengths behind Triple Crown winner Justify in the final leg of the storied series. Prior to the Belmont, Hofburg finished seventh in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), a spot he earned with a runner-up performance in the March 31 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1).
Despite a pair of grade 1 placings and $377,950 in career earnings, Hofburg still has only a single tally in his win column in five starts, a maiden victory in March, making him eligible for the Curlin, which is restricted to non-winners of a graded stakes over a mile in 2018. Mott noted the Tapit colt may be cross-entered into the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) July 28 at Saratoga, also at 1 1/8 miles.
"We want to have a look at it," Mott said of the Curlin. "It doesn't always have to be easier. Sometimes they can get a really nice horse in the Curlin. We want to have the option. Our focus is on the Travers at 10 furlongs."
Hofburg has turned in four breezes at Saratoga since the 1 1/2-mile Test of the Champion, including a four-furlong move in :49.03 July 22 on the Oklahoma training track.
"He's doing good," Mott said. "We got a useful work (Sunday) and he galloped out good. He was strong this morning walking the shedrow. He's been eating well enough. He held up well throughout the Triple Crown races and he seems as though he's improved since."
Irad Ortiz, Jr., who piloted Hofburg in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, has the return call. The pair will break from the rail.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who conditioned two-time Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame inductee Curlin , will be represented by a pair of contenders in this year's edition in Jackpot Ranch's Zing Zang and Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred Reride.
Zing Zang, by Tapit, was a close third last time out in an allowance on the Belmont Stakes undercard while Reride, by Candy Ride , returned from a third-place finish in the UAE Derby Sponsored By Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) in March to finish fifth in the June 23 Mystic Lake Derby on the turf at Canterbury Park. The stablemates wrapped up their preparations for the Curlin July 23, each working four furlongs in :50.04 and :50.77, respectively.
"Both of them blew out really nice today. We were lucky enough to beat the weather," said Asmussen Monday. "This race is a little extra special. Hopefully, we can win it."
Zing Zang will be ridden from post 3 with Ricardo Santana, Jr. aboard. Reride will break from the outside post 6 with Jose Ortiz in the irons.
Saratoga Race Course, Friday, July 27, 2018, Race 9Entries: Curlin S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Hofburg (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
William I. Mott
1/2
2
2Madison's Luna (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Philip A. Bauer
4/1
3
3Zing Zang (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
8/1
4
4Nicodemus (KY)
Manuel Franco
118
Linda Rice
10/1
5
5American Lincoln (KY)
Junior Alvarado
120
Linda Rice
12/1
6
6Reride (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
124
Steven M. Asmussen
6/1
