Clark

An exceptional field of 12 will go nine furlongs in Friday’s $500,000 Clark
H. (G2), the highlight of Thanksgiving Weekend at Churchill Downs. PERFECT DRIFT
(Dynaformer) and SUAVE (A.P. Indy), third and fifth, respectively, in the
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), figure as the top contenders, but we’re going to
give a slight nod to MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), who may offer some value
in this contentious affair.

Since being switched to trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn, Magna Graduate recorded
strong runner-up efforts in the Ohio Derby (G2) and West Virginia Derby (G3)
before powering to a 1 1/4-length victory in the nine-furlong Pegasus S. (G3) at
the Meadowlands. In his most recent start, Magna Graduate closed strongly
through the stretch to win the Discovery H. (G3) on the Breeders’ Cup undercard,
defeating Cigar Mile H. (G1) contender Scrappy T (Fit To Fight) and Santa Anita
Derby (G1) hero Buzzards Bay (Marco Bay). Magna Graduate is nicely drawn near
the inside for a ground-saving stalking trip and could prove best under a mere
116 pounds and go-to jockey John Velazquez.

Suave captured the 1 1/4-mile Saratoga Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) in near
front-running fashion and then was a good second to Borrego (El Prado [Ire]) in
the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1). In the Classic, the Paul McGee trainee dueled
for the early lead until the top of the stretch before holding on well for
fifth, beaten three lengths. Suave has excellent early speed and will likely be
the one to catch under top rider Rafael Bejarano. He drops eight pounds off his
last two races and must respected for all the marbles.

Grade 1 winner Perfect Drift, an earner of more than $4.2 million, has yet to
finish off the board in seven starts on the main track at Churchill Downs. The
Murray Johnson-trained six-year-old won the Washington Park H. (G2) at Arlington
Park before recording his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Pacific
Classic (G1) this summer. The bay gelding was a tough-trip fourth over a sealed
sloppy surface in the Hawthorne Gold Cup H. (G2) before finishing a solid third,
beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Classic. Perfect Drift, the 122-pound highweight,
is a serious top-three threat.

The Neil Howard-trained ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) is perfect in two starts on
the main track at Churchill Downs and exits a hard-fought, half-length victory
in the Fayette S. (G3) at Keeneland. The chestnut six-year-old usually gives a
good account of himself, but he has never been consistently entered against
top-level competitors. He could be just a cut below some of these and may go
forth at underlaid odds.

M B SEA (Alphabet Soup), trained by the ever-dangerous
Dale Romans, closed from far back for third in the Fayette. The dark bay horse
likes this track (12-5-1-1) and could come flying late for a share at large
odds. PURIM (Dynaformer), a lightly raced three-year-old, has won two of three
starts on dirt and comes off a pretty 4 1/2-length victory against lesser over
this surface. He rates our sleeper for a part under a returning Gary Stevens.

Belmont S. (G1) runner-up ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) finished fourth
to Magna Graduate in both the Pegasus and Discovery. The late-closing Nick Zito
trainee could finish late for a minor award at square odds. He would be a good
one to use as a kicker for the Tri/Super. Southern California invader TOTAL IMPACT (Chi) (Stuka),
whose claim to fame this year is a neck victory in the Windy Sands H. at Del
Mar, has been training sharply of late for conditioner Laura de Seroux and could
surprise at a big price under Garrett Gomez. He rates a saver.

STOLEN TIME (Time Bandit) figures to show early speed and may hang on for a
small share. The Ralph Nicks charge is two-for-two, once at 1 1/16 miles, under
the Twin Spires. CHIPPEWA TRAIL (General Royal) was a good-looking winner going
a flat mile on this track last out, but would be a surprise at this level. GO
NOW (Go For Gin) is a useful sort, but he appears ambitiously spotted with
these. A. P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) finished an OK second in a weak edition of the
Super Derby (G2) last out. We’re going to play against this D. Wayne
Lukas-trained sophomore.