Magic Mark tops probables for Cary Grant

Magic Mark, winner of the Harry Brubaker at Del Mar during the summer meet, heads the prospective lineup for the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for older California-breds going seven furlongs on Sunday.

Magic Mark was third against open company in the Big Bear at Santa Anita last time out Nov. 3.

The Cary Grant was also expected to include Acceptance, Grazen Sky, Image of Joplin, Lucky J Lane, Solid Wager, Tengas Ransom, and Tribal Fighter.

Hoppertunity to Clark

Hoppertunity, most recently fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, will return to Churchill Downs next week to try to win the Grade 1, $500,000 Clark Handicap for the second time, Baffert said Wednesday.

Hoppertunity won the Clark in 2014, and was second in the race last year. In his first work since the Classic, he went three furlongs in 35.80 seconds on Tuesday at Santa Anita.

Baffert said he was also considering sending the 2-year-old Big Gray Rocket to Churchill for the Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 26, the day after the Clark. Big Gray Rocket was fourth in the Champagne Stakes in his last start. He was not originally nominated to the Kentucky Jockey Club, and thus would have to be supplemented for $6,000.

Champagne Room done for year

Champagne Room, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies earlier this month, will get the rest of the year off and will not race in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos next month, trainer Peter Eurton said.

“We think she’s done enough to win the Eclipse Award,” Eurton said. “More importantly, we want her to be ready for her 3-year-old year, and if we run in the Starlet she won’t have any time off.”

Champagne Room won twice in five starts this year. Her other victory was in the Grade 2 Sorrento during the summer meet at Del Mar.

Jimsonweed warning issued

The California Horse Racing Board earlier this week sent out a notice that jimsonweed, which can contain the prohibited drug scopolamine, had been found in straw used for stall bedding that had been delivered to Del Mar.

Several trainers on Wednesday morning said they had yet to find any, but were being cautious.

“It can make a horse really sick,” said trainer Vann Belvoir.

It was a terrifying reminder for Ron McAnally, who along with fellow Hall of Famer Richard Mandella and several other trainers had to battle scopolamine charges in 1994 after their horses ingested contaminated weeds found in straw. They were eventually absolved of blame.

“I haven’t seen anything this time,” McAnally said.