Hoppertunity Answers the Call in Clark

It has been a long road back to the winner’s circle for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman’s Hoppertunity since his Grade 2 win in the Rebel Stakes last March. After which, the son of Any Given Sunday further secured his place in this year’s Kentucky Derby with his second-place finish behind California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby.

Unfortunately, Derby glory was not to be for Hoppertunity. A foot problem forced the scratch of the big bay colt just two days before the race.

After a six-month layoff, the promising sophomore returned to the care of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in October and just missed in his comeback attempt in an Optional Claiming race at Santa Anita on Oct. 29.

Back at Churchill Downs for the first time since training for the Derby, Hoppertunity repaid the patience of his connections with a decisive victory in the $500,000 Grade 1 Clark Handicap on Friday.

Under Javier Castellano, Constitution broke sharply and led the field of nine through opening fractions of :24.30 and :49.04. Hoppertunity, ridden by Martin Garcia, settled comfortably in second, about two lengths behind the pacesetter.

Hoppertunity swung to the outside and turned up the pressure on Constitution on the backside as the pair of 3-year-olds covered six furlongs in 1:13.00. Easter Gift made an outside move entering the far turn to overtake Departing for third spot honors, followed by Looking Cool and Protonico. Knight’s Nation, Pick of the Litter and Prayer for Relief brought up the back of the pack in the turn for home.

Hoppertunity shook free of Constitution with a quarter mile to go. Protonico mounted a charge from the center of the lane but came up a half-length short of the victor. Rounding out the trifecta of 3-year-olds was Constitution, fading late along the rail, who held on for third while Pick of the Litter saved ground on the inside to get up for fourth.

Easter Gift, Prayer for Relief, Departing, Looking Cool and Knights Nation completed the order of finish.

"It had been a while since he'd run, Garcia said after the race. "The day he ran seven-eighths [at Santa Anita], I think it was a little short for him. I knew today was going to be a really, really big race for him. We know that he's a really good horse."

Favored at 2-1, Hoppertunity returned $6.40, $4.60 and $3.40 for the win. The winning time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.88.

"He ran great today," his trainer said in a telephone interview with the track. "I was surprised that they bet him down like that. He was ready."

The winner improves his lifetime record to three wins and two seconds from seven starts and earnings of $950,675.

"He'll get better with age so we're happy," said Baffert. "We've got him and Bayern."