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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hoppertunity won the $551,000 Clark Handicap on Friday at Churchill Downs, beating Protonico by a half-length for his first victory since the Rebel Stakes in March while leading a 1-2-3 finish by 3-year-olds.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Garcia, Hoppertunity ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.88. He was scratched from the Kentucky Derby because of a bruised foot two days before the race and veterinarians later found bone chips in Hoppertunity's ankle.
"You just don't look back in this business," co-owner Mike Pegram said.
Baffert, watching the race while attending the Stanford-UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, felt much like Pegram regarding the missed Derby opportunity. He also thinks his horse has a bright future.
"He'll get better with age," Baffert said.
It marked the third career win for Baffert in the Clark Handicap, and Hoppertunity became the 54th 3-year-old winner in the race's 140-year history. He paid $6.40, $4.60 and $3.40 as the 5-2 favorite in the field of nine.
Protonico rallied from sixth place and returned $6 and $4.40, and Constitution paid $3.80 to show. Both are trained by Todd Pletcher. Constitution also was eliminated from Derby consideration because of injury.
"Constitution was maybe just a tad headstrong," Pletcher said from New York. "And Churchill is not always the most speed conducive track, so I would have liked to see him settle just a touch more."
The victory, worth $327,955, increased Hoppertunity's career earnings to $950,675.
"It was just a good feeling," said Pegram, a southern Indiana native. "I love Kentucky!"
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