Latrunroll, ridden by Sharaf Mohammad Al-Hariri of Lucky Seven Stable, will be defending his title against eight seasoned contenders next Friday in the $600,000 Grade 2, 151st running of the Clark Stakes, presented by Norton Healthcare. This prestigious race, held at Churchill Downs during the fall meet, is run over 1 1/8 miles and boasts a rich lineage of champions like Gun Runner, Will Take Charge, and Blame.
Friday’s race card will feature the Clark as Race 11 at 5:54 p.m. ET, amidst a 12-race “Black Friday” schedule that also includes the $300,000 Grade 3 Mrs. Revere Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on turf at 5:25 p.m., with the first race starting at 1 p.m. Besides Latrunroll, notable competitors include Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show, multiple stakes victor First Mission, and top 3-year-olds Chunk of Gold, Gosger, and Magnitude—all recent major stakes winners.
Rattle ‘n’ Roll, trained by Kenny McPeek and last year’s Clark winner, will also be back with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., moving from post 6. Rattle ‘n’ Roll’s recent form includes campaigns in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, featuring a win in the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) and a runner-up finish behind Hit Show in the Fayette Stakes (G2).
Brad Cox-trained stablemates First Mission (post 2, with Flavien Prat) and Hit Show (post 3, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.) aim to secure top honors. First Mission, a Godolphin-owned gelding and son of Street Sense, has notable wins in the 2024 Alysheba (G2) and 2025 Oaklawn Handicap (G2), and narrowly finished second in the 2023 Clark. Hit Show, owned by Wasnan Racing, returns off a stunning victory in the Dubai World Cup and boasts 11 wins from 22 starts with earnings over $8.7 million.
The race also features a trio of 3-year-olds from Harvey A. Clark Racing Stables, led by Gosger, trained by Brendan Walsh. Gosger has impressive credentials, including a Lexington Stakes (G2) win and runner-up finishes in the Preakness (G1) and Haskell (G1). Jockey Luis Saez will ride Gosger from post 4. Walsh previously won the Clark with Maxfield in 2021.
Another promising 3-year-old is Magnitude, winner of the Risen Star (G2) and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. Magnitude, a Not This Time offspring, was second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 9. Winchell Thoroughbreds, Asmussen, and Geroux teamed up to win the Clark in 2016 with Gun Runner.
Chunk of Gold, trained by Ethan West and ridden by Junior Alvarado, gained attention by qualifying for the Kentucky Derby 151 and posted a dominant win at the West Virginia Derby (G3). Alvarado will make his first Clark start from post 5.
Since the race moved to fall in 1953, only one 3-year-old, Gun Runner, has won the Clark in the last decade. Historically, the race was held during spring and served as a key event for 3-year-olds following the Kentucky Derby.
The official lineup and their jockeys are as follows:
1. Cook Creek (Francisco Arrieta, Mike Maker)
2. First Mission (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox)
3. Hit Show (Irad Ortiz Jr., Brad Cox)
4. Golden Nugget (Junior Alvarado, Ethan West)
5. Rattle ‘n’ Roll (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek)
6. Who Day (Luann Machado, Tommy Drury Jr.)
7. Willie Dees (Tyler Gaffalione, Mike Maker)
8. Magnitude (Jose Ortiz, Steve Asmussen)
Horse racing fans can watch and wager on the races at Churchill Downs via the official platform www.twinspires.com.
Fan Take: This year’s Clark Stakes promises thrilling competition with a mix of seasoned champions and rising stars, highlighting the depth of talent in the sport. It’s a pivotal event that showcases the evolving landscape of horse racing, keeping fans engaged and the sport dynamic.
