What to watch for: Hofburg tests older horses at Keeneland

Breeders’ Cup horses will all be putting in their final touches for the Nov. 2-3 event this week, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to look forward to in the afternoon. There's a pair of exciting 3-year-olds looking to improve their resume, plus a Breeders' Cup winner trying to get back in action. Outside the U.S. 

Here’s what we’ll be watching for across the country and around the world.

Hofburg faces older horses at Keeneland

Race after race, Hofburg has shown he is a colt with potential, but he’s been shy of winning at the Grade 1 level. The Juddmonte Farms homebred was second in the Florida Derby, third in the Belmont Stakes and fourth in the Pennsylvania Derby. His lone stakes win came in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga, restricted to 3-year-olds that had not won a graded stakes over a mile in 2018. There, Hofburg was the class of the field, winning by five lengths.

Despite the consistent runs, trainer Bill Mott will not point him to the Breeders’ Cup Classic after the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

“It looked like he was swimming rather than running, and he finished fourth,” Bill Mott said. “That dusted our plans for the Breeders’ Cup.”

Hofburg will still get his shot at older horses in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up. It won’t be the Grade 1 level he’s been running against, but there will be plenty of older graded stakes winners with much more experience. 

Also probable is Hence, Leofric, Name Changer, Nice Not Nice, Prime Attraction, Rated R Superstar and Scuba. 

Battle of Midway stays home for next start

Battle of Midway’s career has been different than most, and is perhaps completely unique. The question of him returning to top form still remains. Last year at 3, he made a respectable third-place run in the Kentucky Derby among other graded stakes placings, won the Affirmed (G3) and Shared Belief stakes in California, and broke through at the top when he won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Then it was off the stud… until he proved subfertile and returned to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer on the West Coast. 

Battle of Midway, now 4, ran second to Catalina Cruiser in the Pat O’Brien (G2) his first race back, then fifth in the Kelso (G2) at Belmont Park. In the Kelso, Battle of Midway drew the rail and jockey Flavien Prat decided to take back instead of going for the pace.

WinStar Farm President and CEO Elliott Walden believes the position may have cost him a chance.

“…They kind of went slow, and he was kind of strangling him down in there. I think after the race he wished he’d gone to the lead.”

Off that effort, Battle of Midway will not defend his title but remain home for Sunday’s $75,000 Comma to the Top Stakes, one mile for 3-year-olds and up at Santa Anita Park. With the big horses heading to Breeders’ Cup, it could be the confidence booster Battle of Midway needs. Of course, he’ll still have to show he has run left in him.

Battle of Midway could face Roman Rosso, an interesting addition to the Bob Baffert stable this year, in the Comma to the Top. The Argentine-bred was imported from South America after winning three Group 1 races. His lone start in the U.S. resulted in a fourth-place finish in the Pacific Classic (G1).

Coal Front makes long-awaited return at Belmont

The Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap leads Belmont Park’s stakes action for the weekend, and Coal Front is listed among the probables.

The 4-year Stay Thirsty colt mad a winning debut in April of last year and followed that with an allowance victory and a win in the Amsterdam (G2). Coal Front had to rate behind horses for the first time in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) and only managed fifth, losing his unbeaten status. He then bounced back to win the Gallant Bob (G3) on the lead.

Away since then, given more than a year, off, Coal Front is trained Todd Pletcher and owned by Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners. He was purchased for $575,000 as a 2-year-old and will likely be the favorite in the Bold Ruler. If he runs to expectations, he'll be a sprinter to keep an eye on next year. 

Other probables include True Timber, Petrov, No Dozing and Bon Raison. Always Sunshine and Delta Prince are possible.

Winx leads international news

Leading the international races this weekend is the Cox Plate (G1) at Moonee Valley in Australia. The champion mare Winx will attempt to win the Cox Plate for the fourth year in a row. The victory would award her with 29 consecutive wins and 22 Group 1 scores. She’ll face seven other horses, with the standout being Benbatl. The Godolphin runner has won five of eight races this year, with three of those victories at the Group 1 level.

At Doncaster in England, the Futurity Trophy Stakes (G1) runs Saturday and will feature 2-year-olds going a mile. Coolmore has a notable runner in Japan, a son of Galileo who won the Group 2 Beresford Stakes. A year ago this race produced a budding rivalry between the one-two finishers Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion. Of course, Roaring Lion bested Saxon Warrior multiple times this season at 3 and is now eyeing a Breeders’ Cup trip.

Also in Europe is Sunday’s Prix Royal-Oak (G1), a marathon for 3-year-olds and up run at Chantilly in France.