Derby Clocker: Hofburg turns in impressive work

CHURCHILL DOWNS
SUNDAY, APRIL 29
WEATHER: SUNNY
TEMPERATURE: 40
TRACK: FAST
TURF: FIRM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was the calm after the storm on a crisp and clear Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. The racetrack was nearly deserted during the special session reserved for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders following two whirlwind days during which the majority of the horses stabled locally turned in their final preps for those races.

That left center stage wide open for Florida Derby runner-up Hofburg, the lightly raced youngster turning in a stellar half-mile drill and eager gallop-out, much to the delight of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Hofburg, who seemed a bit reluctant to come up inside his workmate while breezing at Payson Park one week ago, broke off a couple of lengths behind the 3-year-old filly Villamay, a winner of her only start this season at Tampa Bay Downs.

Hofburg seemed more comfortable this morning coming around his target, easing in front after a 24.43-second opening quarter-mile, then readily edging away by nearly three lengths from his overmatched partner while just cruising to the wire to complete four furlongs in 48.03.

He then readily extended the advantage with a solid gallop-out, five-eighths in 1:00.98 before pulling up six panels in 1:14.81.

Hofburg has flourished since arriving here this week, having shown great energy in his daily gallops, and certainly saw his Derby stock rise this morning following last Sunday’s somewhat disappointing effort in South Florida.

Other than Hofburg’s work, there was little to report on the Derby-Oaks front Sunday at Churchill Downs. Combatant turned in a routine gallop in advance of his final Derby prep, which is likely to be a slow, maintenance half-mile Monday. My Miss Lilly did make a very favorable impression coming out of her good-looking breeze here Thursday, giving her rider all he could handle to keep the steadily improving filly from doing too much just five days out from the Oaks.

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