Baffert considering Gold Cup for Hoppertunity

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hoppertunity, the three-time stakes winner who was third in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 13, might make a quick turnaround for the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 27.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Hoppertunity’s status will be determined by how the 4-year-old colt continues his recovery from the Foster.

“If he bounces out of it, he might be a starter,” Baffert said.

Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Hoppertunity has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $1,179,675. Hoppertunity has started three times this year. After winning the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes in January, he was third behind Shared Belief and California Chrome in the $590,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7.

Last year, Hoppertunity won two stakes – the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn Park in the spring and the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs in November.