Extending his remarkable winning streak to nine, AZTEC SENSE fended off all challenges Saturday in the 33rd running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Fred W. Hooper on the Pegasus World Cup undercard. Emisael Jaramillo was aboard the 6yo gelding for trainer Jorge Navarro, who notched his 1,000th career training victory in the process. BREAKING LUCKY re-rallied to gain second in the final strides, with the full order being 6-4-7-9-2.

Aztec Sense, owned by Joseph Besecker, paid $7 as second choice after finishing the one-turn-mile in 1:36.2 over a sloppy and sealed track. Unfortunately, he was unable to return to the winner’s circle and was vanned off with an unspecified ailment. Jay Privman will have full details later in his Hooper recap on www.drf.com.

COPPER TOWN, the 6-5 favorite, faded badly to finish far back.

COAL FRONT, the morning-line favorite, and longshot EYE OF A JEDI were early scratches, leaving a field of 8 older horses.