Hoppertunity likely to run in Dubai World Cup

Hoppertunity, who won the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs last November and was third to Shared Belief and California Chrome in the San Antonio Stakes on Feb. 7, is more likely to have his next race in the $10 million Dubai World Cup than the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

Trainer Bob Baffert said on Thursday that “Dubai is the plan” for Hoppertunity. On Thursday, Hoppertunity worked five furlongs in 1:00. California Chrome is a leading candidate for the Dubai World Cup.

Also on Thursday, the stakes-winning 3-year-old Dortmund and Ocho Ocho Ocho had fast workouts.

Dortmund, who won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7, worked seven furlongs in 1:25.60. Trained by Baffert, Dortmund will start in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

Ocho Ocho Ocho has not raced since winning the Delta Downs Jackpot in Louisiana on Nov. 22. On Thursday, he worked six furlongs in 1:12, although trainer Jim Cassidy timed Ocho Ocho Ocho in 1:11.80. Ocho Ocho Ocho will start in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 7, a prep for the Santa Anita Derby