If he was trying to make the Kentucky Derby any other year, Bourbon War will likely have clinched a spot in the race. However, this year, there are plenty of horses that have performed well during the prep season. Also, horses that have earned enough points to run at the Derby. This, while Bourbon War sits at 21.
The three-year-old colt not expected to run in any other race until the Kentucky Derby. He can’t earn enough qualification points to make the Derby this year. Also, will need one of the horses ahead of him to be pulled out of the race.
“We’re definitely on the bubble.” trainer Mark Hennig said Sunday. “I think we’re either the first one out or last one right now, and it’s a tough spot to be in both ways.”
Last week, Bourbon War was still in the Derby field. However, Japan-based Master Fencer, who qualified for the Derby after finishing second at the Fukuryu Stakes, pushed him out of the Kentucky Derby field.
Derby Field Odds
The horses that won the Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby also earned enough points to keep Bourbon War at 21st in the standings. Things are not looking good.
Even though Bourbon War can still earn enough points to qualify for the Derby, it is not likely. Even if he runs in one more prep race ahead of the Derby, Hennig does not want to risk an injury.
“We can do something crazy and go run and try and get points, but we’re not going to sacrifice the horse,” Hennig said. “There are plenty more races out there if this doesn’t work out. There’s a lot of horses that run in the Derby, and it ends up being a negative.”
“If it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.”
Hennig said he will wait until the final week of prep races before making a decision on whether to ship Bourbon War to Churchill Downs.