Kopion tries two turns again in Clement L. Hirsch

Kopion has proved herself an elite sprinter the past two seasons, but connections aren't ready to give up on the four-year-old demonstrating similar class around two turns. Her latest opportunity to do just that will be Saturday at Del Mar, in the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) over 1 1/16 miles.

Until last month's Great Lady M. (G2) at Los Alamitos, Kopion sported a 5-for-5 record around one turn, including consecutive wins in the La Brea (G1), Santa Monica (G2), and Derby City Distaff (G1). Favored at 1-5 in the Great Lady M., Kopion saw her streak halted by a fresh Sweet Azteca, who had also won the Great Lady M. in 2024. Kopion was not helped, either, by losing a shoe during the race.

Kopion's two prior runs at a mile or farther were not as solid. Although a respectable second in the Las Virgenes (G3) in February 2024, she next finished 16 lengths adrift of Nothing Like You in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

Nothing Like You, however, enters the Hirsch having not run since last September. Higher among trainer Bob Baffert's trio of Hirsch entrants are Seismic Beauty, a five-length winner of the May 25 Santa Margarita (G2) in her stakes debut, and Richi, who has won graded stakes from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles since her importation from Chile. Richi figures to be more formidable at this distance, facing Kopion, than when she finished a distant third in the Santa Monica.

Others of note in the Hirsch are Grade 3 winner Royal Spa, runner-up behind Thorpedo Anna in the Fleur de Lis (G2) last out, and Argentinean import Little Hidden Port, who debuts for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler.

The winner of the Clement L. Hirsch offers a fee-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar later this year. An impressive effort by Kopion on Saturday would give her the option to try that nine-furlong test, but the seven-furlong Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) remains a logical option and perhaps her best path toward a championship.