Hoppertunity probable for Gold Cup at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. - Hoppertunity, third in the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26, is back on the list of probable starters for Saturday’s $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita after impressing trainer Bob Baffert in a weekend workout.

Baffert said in a text message on Sunday that Hoppertunity was likely to run in the Grade 1 Gold Cup, which is run at 1 1/4 miles. On Thursday, Baffert had said Hoppertunity was doubtful for the Gold Cup, saying at the time that he was not content with the 5-year-old horse’s progress.

Hoppertunity worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 at Santa Anita on Saturday, leading Baffert to have a change of thoughts. On Sunday, Baffert said he had not finalized a rider for Hoppertunity. Flavien Prat rode Hoppertunity in the Dubai World Cup, but is booked to ride Bal a Bali in the Gold Cup.

Hoppertunity could go favored in the Gold Cup. Earlier this year, Hoppertunity was third in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes behind California Chrome in January and won the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes as the 9-5 favorite on Feb. 6.

In the Dubai World Cup, Hoppertunity was beaten by four lengths by California Chrome.

The Gold Cup at Santa Anita is the richest race of the spring-summer meeting. The race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic here Nov. 5.

The Gold Cup had nine probable starters as of Sunday, a group that included Melatonin, the winner of the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap in March, and Second Summer and Hard Aces, the first two finishers of the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles May 22.

Aside from Bal a Bali, other candidates include Follow Me Crev, Imperative, Lieutenant Colonel, and Win the Space.

Hard Aces, who won the 2015 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, worked six furlongs in 1:11.80 Saturday. Sunday, Second Summer worked five furlongs in 1:00.40. He ran the last half-mile in 46.60 seconds, according to trainer Peter Eurton.

“It was quicker than I was hoping, but he worked fast before the Californian,” Eurton said.

Second Summer will race at 1 1/4 miles for the first time in the Gold Cup.

“I don’t think that will hurt us,” Eurton said.