Bourbon War in 'a tough spot' on 2019 Kentucky Derby points
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Photo:
Courtesy of the NYRA
If entry into the 2019 Kentucky Derby was anything like the ongoing NCAA basketball tournament, Bourbon War's resume could have merited him an at-large bid by now.
As it is, however, the 3-year-old son of Tapit is 21st on the points leaderboard and in need of defections to make it in the field on the first Saturday in May.
“We’re definitely on the bubble,” trainer Mark Hennig said Sunday. “I think we’re either the first one out or last one right now, and it’s a tough spot to be in both ways.”
The addition of Japan-based Master Fencer, who qualified by running on the overseas series of races, pushed Bourbon War out of the Top 20 leaving Saturday, which also saw multiple other runners in the Wood Memorial (G2), Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) pass him by on points.
RELATED: Who's in, out and on the Derby bubble?
Connections would like to go on to the Derby. But for now, they wait.
“We can do something crazy and go run and try and get points, but we’re not going to sacrifice the horse,” Hennig said, with the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Lexington Stakes (G3) still to run next Saturday. “There are plenty more races out there if this doesn’t work out. There’s a lot of horses that run in the Derby, and it ends up being a negative.
"If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.”
Hennig said he'll "assess our position" leaving the final weekend of preps before deciding whether to ship Bourbon War to Churchill Downs.
Beyond the Derby, Hennig mentioned as options Belmont Park's May 11 Peter Pan (G3), a local prep for the Belmont Stakes, or the May 18 Preakness Stakes.
Bourbon War’s highlight moment came in the Fountain of Youth (G2) in March, when the product of Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable was bumped out of the gate and forced to the back of the field of 11 only to close in a thunderous fashion, just missing out on catching winner Code of Honor at the wire.
“It was a tough start, but he made up for it,” Hennig said. “Really gave himself a shot there at the end.”
With less pace to chase last time in the Florida Derby (G1), Bourbon War ran fourth.
Overall, Bourbon War is 2-1-0 in five starts, with a strong two-turn allowance victory at Gulfstream Park launching his sophomore campaign.
Read More
We all know the feeling. Every year right after the Breeders’ Cup, the hangover hits. For me, it...
Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes drew nine 3-year-old fillies set to go 1 1/8 miles over Aqueduct’s...
Caitlinhergrtness , Canada's champion 3-year-old filly of 2024, looks to tally another graded-stakes win Saturday in the Grade...
Godolphin’s Encino has proven his versatility with victories on dirt, turf and all-weather surfaces and will look to add...
Yaupon continues his commanding performance in the 2025 freshman sire standings, recording five winners last week to extend...