The spotlight of Black Friday, a mixture of previous and new, is the Grade 2 Clark Stakes introduced by Norton Healthcare at Churchill Downs. One of many few remaining high-profile races on this yr’s grime bulls division, a number of promising 3-year-olds face off in opposition to seasoned veterans, creating an intriguing puzzle of stakes.
1. Prepare dinner Creek (Morning line odds 12-1): The previous claimer has no excellent leads to main awards. He has completed sixth or worse in his final three makes an attempt at this stage, together with final yr’s Clark Stakes. Others are extra interesting.
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta. coach: microphone maker
2. First mission (5-1): He’ll add to the early tempo and has sufficient expertise to final till the tip. The addition of Flavien Prat is a giant plus in the mean time.
Jockey: Flavien Prat; coach: brad cox
3. Hit Present (3-1): He received the Dubai World Cup earlier this yr and has sufficient class to deal with this area. Nevertheless, Churchill Downs might not be his favourite place. He received solely two of his seven begins and by no means completed second or third. We are going to face him within the land of victory.
Jockey: Irado Ortiz Jr. coach: brad cox
4. Gossier (4-1): The three-year-old has been very constant, however tends to hold within the remaining furlong, as he did when he completed second within the Preakness Stakes and NYRA Betts’ Haskell Stakes. He is including blinkers right here, which can assist, however could not present a lot worth within the win pool.
Jockey: Luis Saez. coach: brendan walsh
5. Gold nuggets (10-1): The three-year-old mare had a formidable win at Keeneland, however might be dealing with an older rival for the primary time. This needs to be an acid take a look at for the Grade 3 winners.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado coach: ethan west
6. Rattle N Roll (7-2): He is a hard-core man and would possibly get again into form on the proper time. He likes this observe and received the 2024 Clark Stakes. Taking a timeout from the earlier race, he raced to second place behind Hit Present within the G3 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. We hope to see even better efforts right here.
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Jockey: Brian J. Hernandez Jr. coach: Ken McPeek
7. Who Day (30-1): The constant runner has received eight out of 13 races, however lacks the pace numbers to be thought-about a mainstay.
Jockey: Luan Machado. coach: tom drury jr.
8. Willie Dees (12-1): After a disappointing tryout on the Lucas Traditional in September, he was given a couple of months off. It can take a career-best effort to be a key issue right here.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. coach: microphone maker
9. Magnitude (9-2): He’s a 3 yr previous horse with a lot of potential. Though he misplaced badly within the DraftKings Travers Stakes, he confirmed a brand new dimension by coming again to second place within the Pennsylvania Derby. If he can repeat Pendarby’s efficiency, he might be a serious participant.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz; coach: Steve Asmussen
decide: rattle & roll
Reside lengthy shot: gold nugget
great: 6-4-2-9
