Hoppertunity eyes Cougar II

If Hard Aces goes in the Cougar II at Del Mar on Sunday, his most prominent opponent likely will be Hoppertunity, who worked six furlongs in 1:12 on Monday. Hoppertunity was assigned the top weight of 123 pounds for the Cougar II, one more than Hard Aces.

Hoppertunity was fourth behind Melatonin, Win the Space, and Hard Aces in the Santa Anita Gold Cup last time out. Flavien Prat, who rode Hoppertunity to a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup, has the mount Sunday, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

Mike Smith rode Hoppertunity in the Santa Anita Gold Cup, but he will be at Saratoga on Sunday to ride Songbird in the Coaching Club American Oaks.