A mixture of the outdated and the brand new highlights the Black Friday operating of the Grade 2 Clark Stakes Offered by Norton Healthcare at Churchill Downs. A couple of promising 3-year-olds going through some seasoned veterans affords an intriguing betting puzzle in one of many 12 months’s few remaining well-known races for the dust male division.
1. Cooke Creek (12-1 morning-line odds): Former claimer doesn’t have a sterling document in graded stakes. He was no higher than sixth in his final three tries at that stage, together with final 12 months’s Clark Stakes. Others are extra interesting.
JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Mike Maker
2. First Mission (5-1): Can be a part of the early tempo and has sufficient expertise to hold round till the tip. Having Flavien Prat on board is a large plus proper now.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox
3. Hit Present (3-1): He received the Dubai World Cup earlier this 12 months, so he has sufficient class to deal with this area. However Churchill Downs is probably not his favourite floor. He’s solely received two of seven begins with no seconds or thirds there. We’ll take a stand towards him within the win spot.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Brad Cox
4. Gosger (4-1): This 3-year-old is extremely constant however tends to hold within the ultimate furlong, like he did when second within the Preakness Stakes and within the NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes. He provides blinkers right here and which will assist however he might not provide a lot worth within the win swimming pools.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
5. Chunk of Gold (10-1): Three-year-old exits a formidable allowance win at Keeneland however might be going through older rivals for the primary time. This needs to be an acid take a look at for the Grade 3 winner.
JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Ethan West
6. Rattle N Roll (7-2): He’s a streaky type and he could also be getting good once more at an opportune time. He likes this observe and received the 2024 Clark Stakes. Needed to take up final day out and closed quick to complete second behind Hit Present within the Grade 3 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. Count on one other large attempt right here.
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JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
7. Who Dey (30-1): Constant runner has received eight of 13 begins however lacks the velocity figures to be thought of a significant participant.
JOCKEY: Luan Machado; TRAINER: Tom Drury Jr.
8. Willy D’s (12-1): Was given a few months off after a uninteresting attempt in September’s Lukas Traditional. Will want a career-best effort to be a significant component right here.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Mike Maker
9. Magnitude (9-2): One other 3-year-old with lots of potential. Was well-beaten within the Draft Kings Travers Stakes after which confirmed a brand new dimension when he rallied for second within the Pennsylvania Derby. If he can duplicate that Penn Derby efficiency, he’ll be a significant participant.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
THE PICK: Rattle N Roll
LIVE LONGSHOT: Chunk of Gold
SUPERFECTA: 6-4-2-9
