Hopper and jockey Abel Cedillo win the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita July 11, 2022. (Benoit photo)
Oaklawn Barn Notes by Robert Yates
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.—Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has dominated Oaklawn’s four-race Kentucky Derby prep series for more than a decade, has two horses entered on Saturday’s Arkansas Derby undercard.
Baffert is scheduled to start Hopper in the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) for older horses and Carmel Road in the inaugural $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 mile.
The Southern California-based Baffert improved his gaudy Oaklawn career record to 37 of 87 with unbeaten Arabian Knight’s victory in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 28. The Southwest, Baffert’s record-extending 19th victory in Oaklawn’s Kentucky Derby prep series, marked the trainer’s first appearance in Hot Springs for a race since the 2011 Arkansas Derby.
“Oaklawn’s gotten really tough,” Baffert said Tuesday afternoon. “I mean, all the good horses are there. You better come with your ‘A’ team. You’ve got to come in there with a horse that’s doing really well. It was fun being there. Nothing like seeing a packed racetrack. It gives you a good feeling. It makes you feel like the game is still thriving.”
Owing to a suspension from Churchill Downs, Baffert won’t be represented in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1), a race he’s won four times, including in 2015 with future Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah. The suspension stems from Baffert’s Medina Spirit being disqualified from his 2021 Kentucky Derby victory (medication violation).
Baffert is bidding for his first Oaklawn Mile victory after finishing second in 2020 with future Eclipse Award winner Improbable and again last year with Grade 2 winner Cezanne.
Hopper, who removes blinkers, will be cutting back to a mile after finishing fourth in the $500,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) for older horses at 1 ¼ miles March 4 at Santa Anita.
“This horse has trained really well since his last race,” Baffert said. “There’s nothing here. They’ve got the (Hollywood) Gold Cup, but it’s not for a while.”
Hopper recorded his biggest career victory to date in the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles last June at Santa Anita. He also finished second, beaten a length by Baffert’s 2022 Southwest winner Newgrange, in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 28 at Santa Anita. The San Pasqual marked Hopper’s first start since the Affirmed.
“He’s got a lot of speed,” Baffert said. “I took the blinkers off for his comeback. Last time, he was a little aggressive on the pace and I think he never really settled. Just got a little tired at the end.”
Carmel Road returns to Baffert after finishing eighth in the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 mile March 4 at Aqueduct. Carmel Road broke his maiden at 1-mile last August at Del Mar before testing some of the country’s top 2-year-olds, including future Eclipse Award winner Forte and Practical Move, in graded stakes company.
“Nice little spot for him,” Baffert said, referring to the Hot Springs. “I think he’s a miler.”
Baffert has amassed $10,455,293 in purse earnings in his Oaklawn career. His 37 victories include 23 graded stakes.
In addition to the Arkansas Derby, Baffert has won the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds a record eight times and the Southwest a record six times.
