Churchill: Hoppertunity faces easier this time in Clark
Hoppertunity gets better ‘opportunity’ in ’17 Clark at Churchill
Hoppertunity, a G1 winner of more than $4 million for Pegram, Watson and Weitman, will have the benefit of class as he faces a much less tougher field in the 2017 running of the G1 $500,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill.
Fourth last year behind 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Gun Runner, Hoppertunity has faced a bevy of the best in American thoroughbred racing for most of his career.
Twice in 2016, he faced Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome. He finished third in the ’16 Dubai World Cup and fourth in the G1 Pacific Classic behind Chrome, Beholder and Dortmund. And in ’16 Breeders’ Cup Classic he was fourth beaten 11 lengths by the now retired sensation Arrogate who again defeated him in the 2017 Dubai World Cup.
To his credit, Hoppertunity was the winner of the ’14 Clark.
And was second in the ’15 running behind Effinex who was at the end of his career and suddenly died from a ruptured pulmonary artery last month.
This will be the second start off a layoff for Hoppertunity after finishing second last time out in the Comma To The Top at Santa Anita a month ago. And he has every right to improve for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
He’s three for seven over the last two years, twice winning the G2 San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita, and may be approaching the end of a long, hard fought campaign with a chance to go out a winner in the Clark.
Clark Handicap past performances (Click Bob Baffert).
