Hoppertunity takes first step in what could be big year

ARCADIA, Calif. – With Bayern, California Chrome, and Shared Belief dominating the stakes for 3-year-olds in California in 2014, Hoppertunity was largely overlooked in the division.

That may change in 2015 as the group moves into competition as older horses.

Hoppertunity won the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28 in his final start of a successful 3-year-old campaign interrupted by injury. His 2015 debut occurs in Saturday’s $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita.

Hoppertunity is part of a field of 11 and one of six stakes winners from 2014 in the field, along with Big Cazanova, Blue Tone, Bronzo, Majestic Harbor, and Tonito M.

Where Hoppertunity ranks in the division will be better known after the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes over 1 1/16 miles. The race is a prep for the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 7, a race expected to include Bayern, California Chrome, and Shared Belief.

Hoppertunity, by Any Given Saturday, can win his third stakes in the San Pasqual.

“It’s a good race to set him up for something,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

San Pasqual Stakes, race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Hoppertunity (Last 3 Beyers: 104-87-98)

Hoppertunity raced as a stalker in the Clark Handicap, his second start after a six-month layoff. Trained by Baffert for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Hoppertunity was an intended starter in the Kentucky Derby last spring before he was sidelined by a foot injury.

Hoppertunity could be a frequent traveler this year, Baffert said.

“I think he’ll be better on the road, going to racetracks like Oaklawn Park or New York,” he said.

Big Cazanova (Last 3 Beyers: 101-76-78)

A 6-year-old Argentine-bred, Big Cazanova won the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes over 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar on Nov. 29, leading throughout. Trained by Peter Miller, Big Cazanova will be a danger on the front end in the San Pasqual, a race with few other confirmed front-runners.

Big Cazanova won a maiden race over a mile here last May, racing on the lead throughout.

Blue Tone (Last 3 Beyers: 95-92-96)

Blue Tone was second in the Native Diver, a result that still frustrates jockey Kent Desormeaux.

“That’s a race I wanted to do over,” he said. “I came to [Big Cazanova] with a full head of steam, and he sped away from me,” Desormeaux said.

Majestic Harbor (Last 3 Beyers: 91-95-100)

Majestic Harbor was 13th behind Bayern in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1. In 2014, Majestic Harbor was second in the San Pasqual.

“If he runs back to the way he’s working lately, I think he’ll run well,” trainer Sean McCarthy said. “The race sets up well for him.”

Bronzo (Last Beyer: 94)

Bronzo was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Oct. 31 in his American debut. A three-time stakes winner in Chile in 2014, Bronzo has been with trainer Neil Drysdale since that race.

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DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Mr. Commons. Trainer John Shirreffs is 13-4-0-1 with a $8.03 ROI over the past two years going turf to dirt in routes. Click for more details. – Dan Illman

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