Hofburg, not rushing back from fever, has options

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hofburg, who was kept out of this Saturday’s Grade 1 Travers due to a temperature, still had not returned to the track as of Wednesday, trainer Bill Mott said.

Mott’s options for Hofburg include the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby against 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles at Parx on Sept. 22 or the Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, against 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/4 miles at Belmont Park on Sept. 29.

“A mile and a quarter is interesting,” Mott said.

Mott did nominate Hofburg to next Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes here, but said “that would be a stretch” to think he could make that race.

Among those pointing to the Woodward are Discreet Lover, Gunnevera, Patch, Seeking the Soul, Sunny Ridge, and Tapwrit.