Hoppertunity retired? 'Not yet,' Baffert says as stud deal sought

Reports of Hoppertunity's retirement are, at least, somewhat exaggerated.

Trainer Bob Baffert said via text message that's "not yet" the case after word spread on social media about the fan favorite 7-year-old horse's status.

Dana Barnes, exercise rider for the Baffert barn, posted to her public Facebook page that Hoppertunity's racing days had ended, writing, "We will miss him more than words can say. I know he will be happy."

From there, word spread, but Baffert said the son of Any Given Saturday, who has won nine of 34 starts facing the world's best and earned $4.7 million, remains in training.

Connections are, however, "talking to farms" about a potential stud deal, Baffert said.

Hoppertunity last raced July 25, finishing second as the favorite going 1 1/2 miles in Del Mar's Cougar II Handicap (G2). He has won twice this season and claims as career highlights victories in Churchill Downs' 2016 Clark Handicap (G1) as well as a number of Grade 2 scores on the West Coast.

Baffert's longtime clients Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman campaign Hoppertunity, who shows his most-recent workout on Oct. 14 at Santa Anita Park.