Trainer Sean McCarthy was set to pass the proverbial baton back to Bob Baffert following Saturday’s $100,000 Affirmed Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita, as his one-two finishers, Hopper and High Connection, will be returning to the currently suspended Baffert early next month. Hopper, in only his third career start and stakes debut, made short work of three rivals, two of them originally conditioned by Baffert, as he showed the way from gate to wire for an emphatic 5 ¼ length score under Abel Cedillo, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.83. Quick from gate, Hopper was in total command from his rail post with Doppelganger in close attendance in the run up the backside.
A $90,000 Keeneland September Yearling from the Paramount Sales consignment, Hopper is owned by Lanni Bloodstock, SF Racing, LLC, and Madaket Stables, LLC. He was bred in Kentucky by Green Lantern Stables. With the $60,000 winner’s share of the Affirmed purse, he increased his earnings to $100,700.