Hoppertunity Gets Churchill Chance in Clark

Hoppertunity is finally getting his chance to run in Kentucky.

Scratched a few days before this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) because of a persistent quarter crack problem, the strapping son of Any Given Saturday   was winging to Kentucky Nov. 24 for a run in the Nov. 28 Clark Handicap (gr. I).

Bred by a myriad of interests including Bill Betz, D.J. Stable, and Dr. Charles Kidder, Hoppertunity began his career in January, finishing behind eventual Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Bayern in a maiden tilt at Santa Anita Park. He broke his maiden next out, and in his fourth career start, Hoppertunity looked super-impressive winning the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) over Tapiture and Ride On Curlin.

A second to California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) ensued, and then the trip to the Twin Spires that came up empty. Hoppertunity was sent to Rood & Riddle Equine Clinic after presenting for the quarter crack, and doctors there found an ankle chip as well.

"At that point we pulled the plug on the entire Triple Crown," said Hoppertunity's trainer, Bob Baffert. "He was still off on his foot anyway so we figured we'd take the chip out as well."

Baffert was pleased with the colt's comeback effort Oct. 29 when he ran second to Pimpernel going seven furlongs at Santa Anita.

"He ran a good race off the layoff," Baffert noted. "It's tough to ask him to go 1 1/8 miles in the Clark off the seven furlongs, but he wants distance. There was nowhere else to run him and it's a grade I. I hope he makes some noise and sets himself up for some bigger things down the road. There are so many races to look at next year. He's a big horse who will get better with age. He doesn't dazzle you in the morning, but he's pretty good in the afternoon."

Hoppertunity has a record of two wins and two seconds in six starts and earnings of $622,720. He is campaigned by the successful partnership of Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman, and Karl Watson, who have enjoyed success with Hall of Famer Baffert on horses such as classic winner Lookin At Lucky   and two-time Breeders' Cup winner Secret Circle. Hoppertunity was named for friends of Baffert and his wife, Jill, who were taking every opportunity to try and get pregnant.

Out of the Unaccounted For mare Refugee, Hoppertunity is a half brother to multiple grade I winner Executiveprivilege. That daughter of First Samurai  , racing for the same ownership team and trained by Baffert, won the 2012 Del Mar Debutante (gr. I), Chandelier Stakes (gr. I), and Sorrento Stakes (gr. III), and banked $999,000.