Clark H. (G2)

A competitive field of 10 will square off in the $500,000
Clark H. (G2), the post Thanksgiving Day feature at Churchill
Downs. SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), who bypassed the Breeders’ Cup
Classic (G1), rates a slight nod off his impressive performance
in the Woodward S. (G1) on September 11 at Belmont Park.

Trained by Richard Dutrow, Saint Liam dueled for the early
lead along the inside, drifted out turning for home, then dueled
nip-and-tuck with probable Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (Awesome
Again) through the stretch before finishing second in the nine-furlong
Woodward. The four-year-old set fractions of :45 3/5, 1:08 3/5
and 1:33 1/5, before coming up a neck short in 1:46 1/5 in his
first start since early April. He earned an overall BRIS Speed
rating of 114, including an E2 and Late Pace rating of 120 and
102, respectively. Saint Liam drops nine pounds off that effort
and has posted nine works since then. He is nicely drawn near the
inside for a forwardly placed trip under regular rider Edgar
Prado and should be hard to deny.

In his U.S. debut, U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) winner LUNDY’S
LIABILITY (Brz) (Candy Stripes) dueled every step of the way
before defeating Hollywood Gold Cup S. (G1) winner Total Impact (Chi)
(Stuka) by a head in the nine-furlong Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2)
on October 2. The Bobby Frankel-trained colt earned E2, Late Pace
and Speed ratings of 102, 106 and 107, respectively, and figures
to be lapped on our top choice from the break. He is dangerous
with improvement, but must deal with an 11-pound swing in the
weights with our top choice.

SIR CHEROKEE (Cherokee Run), who rolled to a widening 5 1/4-length
score in the 7 1/2-furlong Ack Ack H. (G3) over this track last
out, rates our upset special. The four-year-old owns three wins
in four starts over this track and could come running late for a
share at attractive odds.

PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer), winner of last year’s Stephen
Foster H. (G1), has yet to finish off the board in five starts
over this track and figures to rally late. Our concern, however,
is that his trainer, Murray Johnson, is 2-for-77 this year. Your
call. COLONIAL COLONY (Pleasant Colony) has not hit the board in
three starts since winning this year’s Stephen Foster and gets a
rider change to Pat Day. Consider at square odds.

Pegasus H. (G3) winner PIES PROSPECT (Crafty Prospector) gets
in light with 112 pounds and could earn a share under John McKee
if the early pace falls apart. Grade 2 winner EUROSILVER (Unbridled’s
Song) drops 10 pounds after finishing second in the about seven-furlong
Perryville S. at Keeneland in his return to action for new
trainer Carl Nafzger. He projects a pressing/stalking trip but
must improve to factor.

Like Pies Prospect and Eurosilver, SUAVE (A.P. Indy) takes on
older horses and therefore gets a substantial weight break. The
Paul McGee-trained colt exits a decent runner-up effort in the
Indiana Derby (G2) and could light the board at large odds. Super
Derby (G2) winner FANTASTICAT (Storm Cat) finished up the track
in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and would need a form reversal. SEEK
GOLD (Touch Gold) appears to be ambitiously placed.