Baffert Stablemates Hook Up in San Diego

Two proven Bob Baffert-trained grade I winners will be front and center in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 25 at Del Mar.



Kaleem Shah's Bayern and Hoppertunity—who is owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman—will both try to regain winning form in the 1 1/16-mile dirt test and Baffert said the San Diego should be a good prep for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr.  I) coming up Aug. 22.



"The new dirt track is deep and demanding, but you don't really know the track until you get good horses on it—and these are really good horses," Baffert said. "They worked well on it, so I'm hoping for a big prep for the Pacific Classic."



Hoppertunity hasn't won since the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park Jan. 10, but has finished third or better in his last eight races, including a game second to Hard Aces in the June 27 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I) despite a wide trip.



Bayern hasn't looked as well in his two starts since winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) last November. The 4-year-old son of Offlee Wild   finished sixth in the Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II), his 2015 debut, then was last of 10 in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park June 6.



Bayern will carry the highweight of 123 pounds with jockey Martin Garcia out of post 4, while Hoppertunity will be just to his left in post 3, carrying 121 pounds with Hall of Famer Mike Smith in the irons.



The Baffert entrants, however, aren't the only horses bringing back class to the San Diego.



Haras Santa Maria de Araras' Catch a Flight, third behind Hoppertunity in the Gold Cup while snapping a two-race graded win streak, will challenge again for trainer Richard Mandella.



Sahara Sky, owned by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Sweetwater Stable, also brings grade I credentials to the San Diego with a victory in the 2013 Met Mile, but has been winless since the San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) in March of 2014.



Jeffrey Bloom's Majestic City is a two-time grade III winner, including a score in the Lone Star Park Handicap May 25, but was seventh in the Gold Cup.



Graded stakes-placed runners Appealing Tale and Sammy Mandeville complete the field along with stakes-placed Nowalking.