Cupid bounces back in Brubaker Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Cupid won as a short-priced favorite in Wednesday’s $81,150 Harry Brubaker Stakes at a mile on dirt at Del Mar, his first start since a win in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in May.

Cupid, who fought illness in early summer, won in a style that showed trainer Bob Baffert the 4-year-old remains a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic here on Nov. 4.

Baffert has a strong team for the BC Classic. He finished first and second with two other BC Classic contenders in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 19 – Collected and Arrogate.

“I want to fill that gate up as much as I can,” Baffert said.

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In the Brubaker Stakes, Cupid ($2.80) had a perfect trip under jockey Rafael Bejarano. Cupid was third behind pacesetter Soi Phet for the first five furlongs, racing wide in a stalking position.

Bejarano urged Cupid to the front on the turn and took the lead in early stretch. Cupid led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong to go, and won by three-quarters of a length over Curlin Rules. Baffert said he was not surprised that Curlin Rules cut into Cupid’s advantage late.

“When he gets to the front, he’ll do that,” Baffert said.

Cupid ran a mile in 1:36.41.

Soi Phet finished third, followed by Dressed in Hermes and Win the Space. El Huerfano and Forever Juanito were scratched on Wednesday morning.

Cupid is likely to start in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 30, which is run at 1 1/8 miles. The Awesome Again Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic for the winner.

Owned by Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith, Cupid has won 6 of 11 starts and earned $1,683,873. The Brubaker Stakes was Cupid’s fifth career stakes win.