Cupid returned from a short summer vacation on Wednesday to win Del Mar’s $81,150 Harry F. Brubaker S., setting up the 4-year-old Bob Baffert trainee for what could ultimately be a start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which will be held at Del Mar as well, on Nov. 4.

Cupid had been off since his victory in the Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita on May 27 due to an illness, but came back strong in the one-mile Brubaker. Despite a three-wide trip on both turns, Cupid prevailed by nearly a length over Curlin Rules in 1:36.41 on the fast main track. 

"We were hoping we would win and not have a really hard, hard race," said Baffert. "He came back pretty well, so this will set him up for the (Sept. 30 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park or the Oct. 7 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park).”

Cupid, who is owned by Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith, has won six of 11 starts, four graded stakes, and earned $1,683,873.