11th-GP, $53,000, Msw, 3-3, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:45.54, ft.
HOFBURG (c, 3, Tapit&log=#tot">Tapit–Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold), making his first start since finishing fourth in his seven-furlong debut at Saratoga Sept. 2, was sent off at 7-1. Breaking from the far outside in this field of 11, the chestnut was always out wide and made an ominous move into contention turning for home. He took over in upper stretch and opened a clear advantage before holding off the late rally of well-bred longshot Just Whistle (Pioneerof the Nile) to win by a half-length despite drifting out several paths late. The stewards considered a disqualification, but let the result stand as the two runners never seemed to make contact despite the herding. The winner is a half-brother to Emollient (Empire Maker, MGISW, $1,350,400) and Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile, SW & GSP, $221,103). Soothing Touch, who was purchased by Juddmonte for $550,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September sale, produced a colt by American Pharoah last year and was bred back to the Triple Crown winner. Emollient produced fillies by War Front in 2016 and 2017. The winner's third dam is multiple Group 1 winner Coup de Genie (Mr. Prospector), who produced the dam of European champion Bago (Fr) (Nashwan), as well as French Group 1 winner Denebola (Storm Cat). Coup de Genie is a full-sister to champion Machiavellian. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $35,950.
O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-William I. Mott.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
