Juddmonte Farms homebred Hofburg (Tapit), an impressive maiden winner going two turns at Gulfstream Park Mar. 3, will make just his third career start and first in a stakes in Saturday's GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby. The half-brother to MGISW Emollient (Empire Maker) was fourth in his debut at Saratoga going seven furlongs last September.
“We don't have a lot of seasoning in us, but the one good thing is we did have a race last [September] at Saratoga and he ran really well,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. “We've been pretty high on the colt all along. He had time after that race, and his race here was very good. It was over the racetrack, he had a wide trip and came out a winner.
Mott continued, “It's a big reach, but looking at what's probably available for him we just thought it was worth taking a chance with him. We've always regarded him pretty well and thought we'd give it a try.”
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