Blame leads sophomore domination of Clark

Blame registered a second consecutive Grade 2 victory over his elders when capturing the Clark (EquiSport Photos) An already murky picture in the race for champion older male honors was thrown into further disarray on Friday as three-year-olds ran 1-2-4 in the $460,600 Clark H. (G2) at Churchill Downs. Leading the sophomore brigade was Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s homebred BLAME (Arch), whose bold five-wide rally turning for home ultimately led to a neck victory over Misremembered (Candy Ride [Arg]) after a duel through the final furlong. The 4-1 second choice in a full field of 14, Blame returned $10.80, $6 and $4.20 after completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 1/5 over the fast main track. “He took me to the lead well within himself,” winning jockey Jamie Theriot said. “Once he gets in front he starts to look around and loses a little bit of interest. I felt (Misremembered) on the inside start coming to me, and my horse started to dig in when he felt the pressure. He kept giving me more. We could have went around again and the outcome wouldn’t have changed. That’s how he does it.”

Blame settled in eighth for the opening six furlongs as outsider Anarko (Chi)
(Sir Cat), Etched (Forestry) and Timber Reserve (Prime Timber) occupied the
first three slots through splits of :23 3/4, :47 3/5 and 1:12. That trio had
nothing left for the stretch drive, however, as a sea of closers rushed up into
contention at the top of the stretch. In addition to Blame and Misrembered, the
older rivals Einstein (Brz) (Spend a Buck) and Anak Nakal (Victory Gallop) were
in contention at the eighth-pole while the sophomore Giant Oak (Giant’s
Causeway) overcame a hop at the start to get in the picture for a minor award.
In the end the only older horse to save face was the 5-1 Einstein, last year’s
Clark winner who was hampered by post 14 and fell a neck short of catching
Misremembered for the place.

Misremembered gave back $10.20 and $6.40 at 9-1 while Einstein returned
$4.60. The exacta was worth $129, the trifecta $1,398.20, and the superfecta
(5-12-14-3) with Giant Oak returned $18,613.80.

In addition to Einstein, the 7-2 favorite Macho Again (Macho Uno) and 7-1
Bullsbay (Tiznow) were also trying to enhance their prospects for Eclipse Award
honors. Both raced near the back of the field most of the way and modestly
improved their position at the finish. Following Giant Oak under the wire were
Anak Nakal, Dubious Miss (E Dubai), Bullsbay, Demarcation (Gulch), Macho Again,
Kiss the Kid (Lemon Drop Kid), You and I Forever (A.P. Indy), Anarko, Etched and
Timber Reserve.

Blame has compiled a career mark of 8-5-1-2, $616,747. Successful in a
Keeneland maiden in his second start at two, he cleared his entry-level
allowance condition over older foes at Churchill in July. Blame made his stakes
debut a winning one next time out in the Curlin S. at Saratoga, defeating
subsequent Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and Ohio Derby (G2) hero Gone Astray (Dixie
Union). After running second to Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor) in the Super
Derby (G2), Blame rebounded to beat older horses in the Fayette S. (G2) at
Keeneland.

The Kentucky-bred is out of the multiple stakes-placed Seeking the Gold mare
Liable, who is herself a half-sister to globetrotting Group 1 star Archipenko
(Kingmambo) and stakes-winning producer Limit (Cox’s Ridge). Liable has also
produced stakes victor Tend (Dynaformer) and a yearling filly named Might, a
full sister to Blame. This is the family of supersires Nureyev (Northern Dancer)
and Sadler’s Wells (Northern Dancer).

“What you see on paper is about what we see on a day-to-day basis,” winning
trainer Al Stall Jr. said. He just continues to get better and better. He’s a
wonderful looking horse with a tremendous pedigree.

“He’ll winter at Fair Grounds and the Breeders’ Cup is here next year. He
could do a number of things. He’s done everything; he’s won on (synthetic
surfaces) and he’s run well on the dirt. It’ll be fun talking about (his
four-year-old campaign).”