Clark Handicap (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
CD- For Three Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
November 27, 2020

Combat Wombat has done some very good things throughout his career, but on Friday, he had another accolade to add to that list, pretty much going wire to wire to win the Clark Handicap. The result was a bit of a surprise, since he had not won a graded stake since April 2019, but still the gelding did draw a good amount of support from the betting public. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this win, is the time of the race, 1:47.18, which is the second fastest in the history of the race. There may be a lot more to come from him in 2021! Carrying 117 pounds, he was the low weight, but there did not seem to be a large amount of variance for that to have played too much of a role in this victory. Maxmillion Farm is the winning trainer for the second time in this career, and they have each come in the last three years. In 2018, he saddled A Storm Has Arrived to win that edition. M Tunon is the winning jockey, his first. Congratulations to them! Let’s take a look!

(½ Mile- :47.77)- Out of the starting gate, both Smokey Stover’s Buckskin and Nakamura Stables’ Set In Space would be the quickest, and it seemed as though they were going to battle it out for the top spot early. Set In Space, though, retreats, leaving Buckskin in front into the opening turn. However, the eventual winner, Maxmillion Farm’s Combat Wombat, would join him at the front soon enough, after initially looking like he was interested in a stalking trip. By the top of the backstretch, Combat Wombat had moved a head in front for the lead. Running fourth would be American Phuegoah from The A Stable. He was in the middle of the field, two and a half lengths from the lead. At the back, Magne Account (RNP Stables) was four back, and Achilles (Diablo Diablo) six back.

(¾ Mile- 1:11.03)- In the backstretch, Combat Wombat pulls out to a length lead, likely more so to Buckskin being unable to keep the pace and beginning to drop back. Set In Space inherits second, but continues to stalk. American Phuegoah still runs in the middle of the field as Magne Account and Achilles trail.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- The old Combat Wombat appears to have shown up tonight, and has left everyone but Set In Space a long way back. However, Set In Space still was a concern, as he had been slightly gaining on him as they approached the top of the stretch. The rest of the field was two and a half lengths further back, at best, but the only one looking like he could cut into the gap at this point was Achilles, who was saving up for the stretch.

(Finish- 1:47.18)- Combat Wombat maintained his strong stride all the way to the finish line, and it is a good thing he did. Set in Space was a game challenger, but could only pull up alongside the winner by the time they hit the wire. These strong efforts left everyone else running for third, and Achilles takes the spot with his late run. He was still beaten three and a half lengths. It was another length to American Phuegoah, then Magne Account and Buckskin.

About The Winner- Combat Wombat, trained by Maxmillion Farm and ridden to victory by M Tunon, is a five year old gelding by Combastic, and is out of Five Be Farl. He was bred in California by Our Athletes as a third quarter two year old, and acquired by Maxmillion in private sales, via Aer Stables, while he was still unraced for $20.000. The win is his sixth in 19 starts, and his fourth graded win. His career earnings are now $3,126.420.

Track: Fast
Time: :47³  1:11   1:34⁴  1:47

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 3 Paid 69.60
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 3 – 4 Paid 415.00

Scratched: Spirited Stride

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES