Steve Haskin reflects on Hoppertunity's runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and what the race says about his Kentucky Derby (gr. I) form. Hoppertunity finished 3 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher Candy Boy, who ran out of steam while making his first start since winning the Feb. 8 Robert B. Lewis (gr. II).
After Hoppertunity won the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 15 in his start prior to the Santa Anita Derby, Bob Baffert said, "He's a horse that back in November wasn't even on the radar, and I've just let him develop on his own." Hoppertunity has 95 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby and is in seventh place on the leaderboard following his run in the Santa Anita Derby.
One For the Roses: Hoppertunity