Newgrange and Tripoli are the dangers to the Bob Baffert duo of Hopper and Messier. A 5 1/4-length winner of the four-horse Affirmed Stakes (G3) last June for then-trainer Sean McCarthy, Hopper returns off a series of fast workouts for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. In the spring McCarthy subbed for Baffert as trainer while Baffert served a 90-day suspension issued by Kentucky stewards for medication violations.Owned by Lanni Bloodstock, SF Racing, and Madaket Stables, Hopper earlier scored a maiden victory in May. He is 2-for-3, with his lone defeat being a sixth in his six-furlong maiden turf debut three starts ago last winter.
Baffert also starts Messier who seeks to regain his top form after struggling in recent starts. Messier was second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and 15th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) for then-trainer Tim Yakteen.
A 4-year-old colt by Violence out of the Empire Maker mare Bella Chianti, Newgrange will be ridden for the first time by leading jockey Juan Hernandez and is the 3-1 second choice on the morning line. The leading money earner in the field is Hronis Racing’s Tripoli , the 4-1 third favorite. Winner of the 2021 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar, the 6-year-old is winless in seven starts since. Tripoli was second to Newgrange, beaten 5 1/2 lengths, when they met in early November.