Clark Handicap- Grade 1 ($500.000 Purse)
CD- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
November 25, 2016
The reigning champion of the BEL, Carneyman, returns to action this weekend in the 13th running of the Clark Handicap, a $500.000 Grade 1 event that gives the winning trainer the opportunity to spend their winnings on Black Friday shopping later in the day. Or, however else they prefer! It has not been uncommon for the winners of the Clark Handicap to have run in the BC Classic, and in fact, it’s something that has held true of the winner of this race at least half the time, that they ran in the Classic. In the earlier days of this race, there was a full month between the races, but even now with the three weeks, it has still been occurring. That is a trend that might bode well for Carneyman, who is the biggest name in the field, although Port On The Horizon fans might say, “look at that earnings scoreboard!” It should be a fascinating showdown between Carneyman and Port On The Horizon here, but there are plenty of others who can steal the spotlight from them! There are just six in the race, but it’s an excellent field, so don’t just look at the two starting in the first two spots! Here is our field, enjoy the race!
#1- Carneyman (John Henry, ridden by J Lezcano)- The gelding has been able to show up and impress in some of the biggest races, starting as a two year old when he won the BC Juvenile. After a little bit of a lull in his career, he reminded everyone who he was won he won the BEL in June, and then followed that up with a win in the Haskell a month later. Everything was going great for him, but former trainer Broken Spoke Stables decided it was time to sell his star at that point, and John Henry picked him for $500.000 in September, He would not race at all between winning the Haskell and running second in the JC Gold Cup in October. Ran in the BC Classic at the beginning of the month, and had a seventh place run to show for it. Carneyman isn’t used to smaller fields, so that may be a positive here.
#2- Port On The Horizon (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by R J Albarado)- After a great two year old season that saw him win over $2,500.000, Port On The Horizon has won just one of seven starts this year, and has a few recent off the board finishes. Most recently, he ran in the JC Gold Cup in October against several of those he sees again, and ran eighth. To finish off the year strong, the trainer will be looking for a duplication of his run in the Pacific Classic back in August, where he ran third behind dead heating winners. It could serve him well that this race is furlong shorter too then his recent runs. He’s due for a big run as recently he seems to rotate good and not so good performances.
#3- Marshal Berthier (Kopites, ridden by T C Baze)- While Carneyman and Port On The Horizon were running in bigger races this June, Marshal Berthier was in a $20.000 claimer at BEL where he was picked up by Night Rider Stables. That trainer elevated his career into a NY-bred stakes, and he would be rewarded with a win in the $250.000 Albany at beautiful Saratoga Race Course. However, that did not lead to bigger and better for Night Rider, and instead led to a $200.000 sale to Kopites. In October, he made his debut for Kopites in the Grade 1 Awesome Again and third. It’s easy to be excited about the two to his inside, but it may just be Marshal Berthier who is looking the sharpest coming into this race. I like his chances here.
#4- Rapid Refund (Grimley, ridden by R Bejarano)- This is a six year old gelding who will be making his 35th career starts. He has won five times, and has made his living moreso by finishing second. To be the runner up again here, or win, the weather must be perfect. Rapid Refund has clearly shown that he absolutely despises anything not fast or firm. The most recent instance was in the JC Gold Cup last month, where he was a distant afterthought on a good track surface. More then likely, he will get his fast track, and allow the trainer to see what he really can do against several rivals that he also last month.
#5- Geeky Pleasure (Riggins Racing, ridden by K J Desormeaux)- Made his stake debut late last month in the seven furlong Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap after having a solid career in the allowance and optional claiming ranks. That debut went very well, as he valiantly came from behind to finish second to Gma Is My Hero. Now, Geeky Pleasure will get more room to run but also see a field full of Gma Is My Hero’s. He’s likely going to be at the back looking to close again, so opposing jockeys better look to check on where he is as they approach the stretch.
#6- Royal Prodigy (Mb Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- The Inspector Jacques gelding is winless on the year, though that has not stopped the trainer from continuing to put him up against some of the best, and the results have been good despite the failure to visit the winner’s circle. Highlights include getting his picture taken in a very tight photo with the winner of the Grade 2 Alysheba right here at CD, and then placing third in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga. He does also come out of the JC Gold Cup, and ran sixth. This may be another who simply loathes off tracks. As much as he has been knocking on the door of a victory this year, you have to believe that it is imminent. Perhaps, today.
Prediction: 1-2-6-3
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
