Woodward S. (G1) hero PREMIUM TAP (Pleasant Tap), the third-place finisher in
the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), heads a field of 12 entered in Friday’s $500,000
Clark H. (G1) at Churchill Downs. Upgraded to Grade 1 status this year, the 1
1/8-mile event also features promising three-year-old BRIGHT ONE (Dance
Brightly) and Grade 2 winners WANDERIN BOY (Seeking the Gold), SUPER FROLIC
(Pine Bluff) and MASTER COMMAND (A.P. Indy).
Premium Tap upset Sun King (Charismatic) when making his stakes debut in the
Albert the Great S. in July and finished fifth to likely Horse of the Year
Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes) in the Whitney H. (G1) next time out. He captured
the Woodward at 31-1 and then finished a troubled fifth in the Kentucky Cup
Classic (G2). Dismissed at nearly 28-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the John
Kimmel-trained four-year-old overcame a rough start to finish a clear third,
only 3 1/2 lengths back of Invasor. Kent Desormeaux will ride the 122-pound
highweight on Friday.
Bright One exits a 3 1/2-length romp over allowance/optional claiming rivals
at Churchill and easily captured the Forestry H. under the Twin Spires this
summer. The Dale Romans charge also took the West Virginia Derby (G3) in early
August.
Wanderin Boy finished second to Bernardini (A.P. Indy) in the Jockey
Club Gold Cup (G1) last out and won the Brooklyn Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) two
starts back. The Nick Zito pupil, who will be uncoupled in the wagering with
ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus), has earned $527,069 from a record of
9-4-3-1 this season.
Super Frolic didn’t fire when trying the turf in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), but the Scott Blasi trainee is much more proven on the main
track, finishing third to Lava Man (Slew City Slew) in the Pacific Classic (G1)
and Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) this year. Master Command, who will run uncoupled
with A.P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) from the Todd Pletcher shedrow, exits a sharp score
in the Meadowlands Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) and will keep John Velazquez in the
saddle.
Super Frolic will lead the post parade under a 118-pound impost that includes
Shaun Bridgmohan. Next comes Bright One, Mark Guidry, 115; Wanderin Boy, Javier
Castellano, 119; Premium Tap; IT’S NO JOKE (Distorted Humor), Robby Albarado,
119; A.P. Arrow, Rafael Bejarano, 113; WIGGINS (Cartwright), Brian Hernandez Jr.,
114; Andromeda’s Hero, Eddie Castro, 114; WILD DESERT (Wild
Rush), Cornelio Velasquez, 118; IRENE’S MON (Maria’s Mon), Julien Leparoux, 111;
M B SEA (Alphabet Soup), Calvin Borel, 113; and Master Command, 120.