Juddmonte 'definitely' wants in Kentucky Derby with Hofburg

While Juddmonte Farms hasn’t entered a colt in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby, it’s no secret who the international racing and breeding operation would like to see hit the wire in front.

Juddmonte’s Hofburg stepped up out of a maiden win to finish second in the March 31 Florida Derby, earning him 40 2018 Kentucky Derby qualifying points that most years would be plenty to qualify. But scenarios certainly exist where, with this the final weekend of preps, he could end up outside the Top 20 on the leader board.

“We’ll sweat it out for the weekend and see, obviously, if the favorites can win in Arkanasas,” said Garrett O’Rourke, manager of Juddmonte Farms’ U.S. operation. “That’s the best scenario for us because they are ahead of us on points already, so it wouldn’t bump us.”

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That answers the question of whether Juddmonte wants the lightly raced Bill Mott trainee, whose first and so far only win came March, running on the first Saturday in May.

“We definitely want to get in there,” O’Rourke said.

A homebred son of Tapit, Hofburg sits 17th on the leader board with Firenze Fire (39 points) and Solomini (34) points following. Solomini needs only to finish fourth in the Arkansas Derby — points pay out to the Top 4 on a 100-40-20-10 scale — to pass Hofburg. And then at Keeneland, My Boy Jack (32 points, 21st place) will search for as many as 20 additional points running in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes as a final prep.

Gronkowski, the European series’ qualifier, is treated as the No. 20 horse and locked into the field. That makes current final spot in the field for a domestic runner No. 19.

Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Magnum Moon and Tampa Bay Derby (G2) are the Arkansas Derby runners already ahead of Hofburg on the leader board. Should they fill the win and place spots Saturday, Juddmonte’s assuredly headed to Churchill Downs with Hofburg.

“A system is a system, and you’ve got to plan by it,” O’Rourke said. “Someone is always a little bit peeved when they’re bumped. Hopefully we won’t be the one getting bumped.

“If we’re in, I think we’ve got a good shot. We’ll sweat out the weekend and see where we are.”