The handicap division for older horses will provide one in all its final 2024 alternatives for taking down a hefty purse when the Grade 2 Clark Stakes Introduced by Norton Healthcare is contested Friday at Churchill Downs. The Grade 2 stakes, which serves as good choice for horses who skipped the Breeders’ Cup, drew a area of 10 for what needs to be a aggressive and intriguing betting race.
1. Bolzy (12-1 morning-line odds): Turned in a career-best effort when second within the Grade 2 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. This might be his third begin off the layoff, he provides blinkers and has the rail in a two-turn take a look at. There are some issues to love about him at a double-digit worth.
JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Donnie Von Hemel
2. Grand Aspen (20-1): Completed final within the Fayette in his first begin since January whereas racing for a brand new barn. Enchancment is anticipated, however how a lot?
JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Jonathan Thomas
3. Crupi (4-1): Belongs within the exotics with a late-running fashion that typically brings dwelling a verify. Was third within the Grade 2 Woodward Stakes and second within the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes and figures to be an element within the last furlong.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
4. Piroli (20-1): Has not been aggressive in a graded stakes since Could 2023 within the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Gained his final begin however faces more durable firm right here.
JOCKEY: Edgar Morales; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy
5. Most Needed (7-2): Three-year-old faces older horses in a stakes for the primary time. Has received 4 in a row, capped by the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby in quick time, and can get examined for sophistication right here. He’s harmful on his greatest strive.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox
6. Hit Present (3-1): He’s received three straight graded stakes: Fayette, Lukas Traditional and West Virginia Governor’s Stakes. Gained the Lukas Traditional right here in late September and shapes up as a serious participant on this area.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brad Cox
7. Rattle N Roll (5-1): Attention-grabbing previous performances as his final two races have been the Lukas Traditional, in 2023 and 2024. Was third off a yr’s layoff and figures to maneuver ahead off that efficiency. In eight begins at Churchill Downs, he’s 3-1-3 and appears he’s primed for a giant effort.
JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
8. Crimson Route One (8-1): Stone-cold nearer may use a speedy tempo and there may be not an abundance of pace right here. Has not raced since July and can almost definitely want a begin to fireplace his greatest shot.
JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
9. Cooke Creek (6-1): Set the tempo within the Lukas Traditional and settled for a runner-up end, dropping by a neck. More than likely will break rapidly from an out of doors publish and should not get a lot early stress right here, rising the probabilities he could not look again till he crosses the wire.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Mike Maker
10. Uno Mas Bourbon (20-1): Rallied for third within the Fayette as a 3-year-old, ending practically 5 lengths behind Hit Present. Will profit from that have however appears a notch under these, particularly from the surface publish.
JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Ian Wilkes
THE PICK: Cooke Creek
LIVE LONGSHOT: Bolzy
SUPERFECTA: 9-6-7-3
