Hoppertunity Edges Imperative in San Antonio

A year-long stretch of near misses ended for Hoppertunity Feb. 6 in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.



Never worse than fourth—and second by less than a length three times—in nine starts since his previous victory in the 2015 San Pasqual (gr. II), the 5-year-old son of Any Given Saturday found just enough in the San Antonio, nosing out fellow closer Imperative at the wire to win the 1 1/8-mile race under first-time jockey Flavien Prat.

"I thought I was beat, to tell you the truth," Prat said of the photo finish.



The top pair finished a half-length ahead of Donworth, who took control of the race in the stretch but could not hold off the closers. Imperative raced in sixth entering the stretch and just failed to make up enough ground.

"I hat to wait for some room to get him out and that really cost me," said Imperative's jockey, Mike Smith. "I still thought he won. I'm dumbfounded right now. I can't even talk. I could have sworn I won."



Bob Baffert-trained Hoppertunity—owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman—trailed in seventh early and gradually improved position as stablemate Cat Burglar set fractions of :23.18, :46.93, and 1:10.57 through six furlongs.



Hoppertunity moved four wide into the stetch to commence his final drive and hit the wire in 1:48.47. The winner paid $5.80, $2.80, and $2.20 across the board. Imperative brought $4 and $3, while Donworth delivered $3.60.

"It was a good prep for hime for (the) Dubai (World Cup, UAE-I, March 26)," said Baffert, who also collected a record sixth Robert B. Lewis (gr. III) win earlier on the card with Mor Spirit. "I just told Flavien, 'His first jump, he needs a little help leaving there' After that, it's just a matter of if he gets up or not. That's about it. This was a good day for us."

Cat Burglar tired to finish fourth, followed by Hard Aces, Cyrus Alexander, El Kabeir, and Blingo completing the order of finish.