Hoppertunity may ship in for Donn Handicap

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Nominations are out for the Grade 1 Donn Handicap, and along with the expected probables, including defending champ Lea and a host of older handicap stars from the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher, the list included one surprise – Grade 1 winner Hoppertunity, who is stabled on the West Coast with trainer Bob Baffert.

The Donn shares top billing at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7 with the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.

Hoppertunity certainly would spice up the lineup for the 1 1/8-mile Donn, although Baffert said Wednesday that the chances are 50-50 at best that he will come.

“I’ve looked into shipping arrangements, and they are a little bit difficult. That’s what’s holding me back,” said Baffert. “I’d have to come a week before the race, which means I’d have to breeze him there once. I usually prefer shipping in three days on top of a race.”

Although Baffert is no stranger to Gulfstream – he won the 2001 Donn with Captain Steve – he said he can’t remember running a horse here since the track was “switched over” in 2005.

“He’s jogging now as we’re speaking, and he’s doing well since his last start,” said Baffert, referring to Hoppertunity’s 2 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 San Pasqual. “The Breeders’ Cup is obviously our goal, so I have to look at the big picture with him, and shipping and running can be a little hard on him. But my motto is ‘Never say never.’ I have until next week to make a decision. I’ll wait until his next work before deciding.”

Hoppertunity is one of two horses stabled at Santa Anita on the nomination list for the Donn. The other is Blue Tone, who finished third in the San Pasqual for Bob Hess Jr.

The 1 1/8-mile Gulfstream Park Turf lured only 13 nominations, including defending champ Lochte, Grade 1 winner Imagining, Summer Front, Ring Weekend, and Pletcher’s trio of Divine Oath, Mshawish, and Unitarian.

Wicked Strong progressing

Wicked Strong was among the notable older handicap stars not nominated to the Donn, but the Wood Memorial winner continues to progress toward his 4-year-old debut after breezing four furlongs in 48.75 seconds at Palm Meadows on Wednesday.

The work was the third for Wicked Strong since he arrived in south Florida to resume training following his eventful trip in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 27.

Unitarian tops Jerkens field

Saturday’s feature is named after one of the legends of the sport, Allen Jerkens. The inaugural running of the Jerkens will be contested at two miles on turf.

Jerkens does not have a horse in the race, although a full field is entered, topped by Unitarian, the winner of the 1 1/2-mile, Grade 2 Elkhorn last spring at Keeneland.