Hoffrogge said he carefully monitors the workouts because 2-year-olds haven’t fully developed, and Bold Bulldog, who is tall and lanky, may take time off after his first race because of shin soreness.

“The young horses need more time off between workouts,” he said, adding that Bold Bulldog stays fit with daily gallops on the track.

Hoffrogge has already recognized some of the horse’s traits, adding blinkers because the horse seemed uneasy running next to horses, especially those on the inside.

“He’s not real aggressive,” Hoffrogge said.

Though he certainly hasn’t given up on Bold Bulldog, he’s not expecting much early. Hoffrogge works his horse in packs of three and four, changing the group to see which one runs the fastest. Bold Bulldog has not been the fastest.

“He might be a better horse next year,” Hoffrogge said. “The 2-year-olds are forced to run (shorter races), and he may need to go long.”

Still, Hoffrogge likes working with Bold Bulldog, who does what’s asked of him with little complaint.

“He wants to please,” Hoffrogge said. “Sometimes, they want to fight you. We put them through a lot, and some don’t handle the stress. They don’t eat, they get scared of the track.

“He’s handled everything, and handled it well.”

Now comes the time to see how the horse reacts while racing, in a pack, with a crowd hollering.