Grade 1 winner PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer), third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
(G1) last out, is the 122-pound highweight for Friday’s $500,000 Clark H. (G2).
The centerpiece event of Churchill Downs’ Autumn Meet, the 1 1/8-mile Clark has
attracted 12 entrants, including Grade 2 winner and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)
runner-up SUAVE (A.P. Indy), multiple Grade 3 hero ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy), and
Discovery H. (G3) victor MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades).
Perfect Drift, who captured the Washington Park H. (G2) and recorded his
second consecutive runner-up finish in the Pacific Classic (G1) earlier this
season, has always run well under the Twin Spires, winning the 2003 Stephen
Foster H. (G1), finishing third in the 2002 Kentucky Derby (G1) and third in
this year’s Foster behind likely Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado).
The Murray Johnson-trained gelding brings earnings of more than $4.2 million
into the Clark and will be ridden by Mark Guidry.
Suave won the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) in August and followed his
commendable Jockey Club Gold Cup showing with a decent fifth in the Breeders’
Cup Classic, setting the early pace before weakening slightly. Trained by Paul
McGee, the four-year-old colt is a front-end threat on Friday. Alumni Hall likes
the track (two-for-two) and exits a nice score in the Fayette S. (G3) at Keeneland. The six-year-old has posted five victories this year for trainer Neil
Howard.
Magna Graduate, a game winner over Scrappy T (Fit to Fight) in the Discovery
last time, is a dangerous candidate for Todd Pletcher. The sophomore colt took
the Pegasus H. (G3) two starts back. A.P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) will enter the Clark
off a runner-up finish in the Super Derby (G2), and 2004 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1)
conqueror TOTAL IMPACT (Chi) (Stuka) has shipped in from California for trainer
Laura de Seroux.
In post parade order, the Clark consists of A.P. Arrow, John Jacinto, 111;
PURIM (Dynaformer), Gary Stevens, 114; Perfect Drift; GO NOW (Go for Gin), Craig
Perret, 112; Magna Graduate, John Velazquez, 116; STOLEN TIME (Time Bandit),
Mike Smith, 113; Suave, Rafael Bejarano, 118; M B SEA (Alphabet Soup), Corey
Lanerie, 114; CHIPPEWA TRAIL (General Royal), Jesus Castanon, 112; Alumni Hall,
Robby Albarado, 117; ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus), John McKee, 113; and
Total Impact, Garrett Gomez, 117.