Dortmund, Hoppertunity work together

DEL MAR, Calif. – Dortmund and Hoppertunity, who finished third and fourth behind California Chrome in the Pacific Classic in their last start, worked five furlongs in company Monday at Del Mar in preparation for races either at Santa Anita or Belmont Park.

“They’re nominated everywhere,” said their trainer, Bob Baffert, who has said Dortmund could again face California Chrome in the Grade 1, $300,000 Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, while Hoppertunity is under serious consideration for the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Oct. 8.

“I wanted to give them one more work before we left here,” said Baffert, whose stable will head back to Santa Anita in the coming days. “We’ve got lots of options with them.”

Dortmund, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, was timed in 58.80 seconds, with Hoppertunity getting a time of 59.

Baffert said Dortmund has done particularly well since the Pacific Classic, which was his second start following a layoff of nearly eight months.

“He looks better now than before the meet started,” Baffert said.

Baffert also worked the top sprinter Lord Nelson, who won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby on July 31 in his last start. He is awaiting the Grade 1, $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 8 as his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 5, also at Santa Anita.