Hard Aces becomes solid Cougar II favorite following scratch of Hoppertunity

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap almost was a good race.

A pair of Grade 1 winners – Hoppertunity and Hard Aces – entered the 1 1/2-mile main-track marathon that will be run Sunday at Del Mar. Unfortunately, Hoppertunity came down with a fever Thursday that will prevent him from running.

“He doesn’t look sick, but he had a temperature,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He’s all right, but he won’t run.”

Hoppertunity’s scratch makes Hard Aces the certain favorite in the Cougar II as he drops in class following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Hard Aces was cross-entered in the San Diego Handicap on Saturday, but trainer John Sadler was in no rush to face California Chrome and Dortmund. After the defection of Hoppertunity from the Cougar II, Sadler said Hard Aces would scratch Saturday and run in the Cougar II.

“I want to give him some class relief,” Sadler said. “He’s going to make a million dollars, and I’d like to get him where he can win one.”

Hard Aces has earned $939,645 but is winless in nine starts since he upset the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in June 2015.

Sadler entered Infobedad in the Cougar II as a backup for Hard Aces. Infobedad is likely to scratch, leaving only four in the Cougar II, including Hard Aces. The others are Quick Casablanca, the mare Energia Fribby, and first-level allowance winner Seve’s Road.

Cougar II, Race 4

KEY CONTENDERS

Hard Aces, by Hard Spun

Last 3 Beyers: 105-103-95

◗ Though winless this year in six starts, Hard Aces earned $347,000 by finishing third in the Gold Cup, second in the Grade 2 Californian, and second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March. Hard Aces will be racing 1 1/2 miles for the first time.

“I don’t think that will be an issue,” Sadler said. “He’s a grinder. He’s a total grinder.”

◗ Santiago Gonzalez is his rider.

Quick Casablanca, by Until Sundown

Last 3 Beyers: 89-98-95

◗ Ron McAnally trains Quick Casablanca, the winner of the Grade 3, 1 7/8-mile San Juan Capistrano on turf two starts back and seventh last out in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham. An 8-year-old, Quick Casablanca won a Group 1 on dirt in Argentina in 2012.

◗ McAnally said if Quick Casablanca runs well Sunday, he will aim for the Grade 3, $350,000 American St. Leger, a 1 11/16-mile turf race Aug. 13 at Arlington. Tyler Baze rides Quick Casablanca.

Seve’s Road, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-74

◗ He won a first-level turf allowance last out for trainer Phil D’Amato, his first start at 1 1/2 miles.

“The farther, the better,” D’Amato said.

◗ Seve’s Road, whose rider is Rafael Bejarano, has a second and a third from two starts on dirt.

Energia Fribby, by Agnes Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-95

◗ A 6-year-old mare, Energia Fribby will be making her first start on dirt.