Hoppertunity Tunes Up in Louisville

Pegram, Watson and Weitman’s GI Kentucky Derby contender Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) breezed five furlongs alongside MGSW Drill (Lawyer Ron) in 1:00.20 under jockey Rosie Napravnik yesterday. Putting in his first work since arriving at Churchill Downs Monday, the bay clocked fractions of :12.40, :24.40, :36.20 and galloped out six panels in 1:13.20. It was the second fastest of 15 works at that distance for the day. 
    “I was happy with the work,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I thought it went well even though the workmate didn’t put up much of a fight and lost interest.” 
    Winner of Oaklawn’s GII Rebel S. Mar. 15, Hoppertunity was last seen finishing second behind likely Derby favorite California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in the GI Santa Anita Derby. 
    “I was happy with the way he ran [in the Santa Anita Derby] and he finished well,” Baffert said. “I didn’t think he was going to beat California Chrome, but he ran a good, solid race. [Hoppertunity] is a laid-back horse and he is not going to wow you. He is just a steady horse and he moves well over the track. We know he can run.”