Churchill Downs Press Staff – Wathnan Racing’s acclaimed multiple graded stakes champion, Hit Show, leads a competitive field of 10 seasoned horses set to compete in the prestigious 150th running of the $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II), which stands as the quintessential highlight of the Churchill Downs Fall Meet.
Slated to be contested over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, the Clark is positioned as Race 11 in the 12-race card on Black Friday, with the projected post time at 5:48 p.m. (all times Eastern). The day kicks off with a first post at 1 p.m. sharp.
Trained by the renowned Brad Cox, Hit Show arrives at the Clark carrying an impressive three-race winning streak, having secured victories in notable races, including the Fayette (GII), Lukas Classic (GII), and West Virginia Governor’s Cup (GIII). This remarkable 4-year-old, a son of Candy Ride (ARG), has accumulated over $1.2 million in career earnings from seven wins in 14 starts. Last year, his promising journey on the track included a fifth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) and a notable fourth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (GI), where he finished just 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner, Arcangelo. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is set to navigate Hit Show from an advantageous post No. 6.
Joining Hit Show in the starting gate is his undefeated companion Most Wanted, an exceptional 3-year-old colt owned by Gary and Mary West. Most Wanted has remained unbeaten throughout his career, with four consecutive victories including a bold, front-running success in the Ellis Park Derby and a determined one-length win in the Oklahoma Derby (GIII). Gliding from post No. 5, the talented Florent Geroux will be at the helm aboard this promising contender.
Among the other esteemed competitors in the Clark is Lucky Seven Stable’s Rattle N Roll, a seasoned veteran trained by Kenny McPeek with an impressive record of eight wins. The 5-year-old son of Connect has commanded attention since his juvenile years, clinching victory in the Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland. His impressive resume also boasts wins in the Oklahoma Derby (GIII), Ben Ali (GIII), Pimlico Special (GIII), and Blame (GIII). Rattle N Roll made his return to the racetrack two months ago by finishing third in the Lukas Classic (GIII). Brian Hernandez Jr. will be aboard from post 7.
Other notable entries in the Clark include Crupi, who finished as the runner-up in this year’s Whitney (GI); Red Route One, the winner of the Cornhusker (GIII); and Uno Mas Bourbon, triumphant in the Super Derby.
The field for the Clark from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):
· Bolzy (Frankie Dettori, Donnie K. Von Hemel)
· Grand Aspen (Gerardo Corrales, Jonathan Thomas)
· Crupi (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher)
· Piroli (Edgar Morales, Michael McCarthy)
· Most Wanted (Geroux, Cox)
· Hit Show (Gaffalione, Cox)
· Rattle N Roll (Hernandez, McPeek)
· Red Route One (Cristian Torres, Steve Asmussen)
· Cooke Creek (Luis Saez, Mike Maker)
· Uno Mas Bourbon (Francisco Arrieta, Ian Wilkes)
The Clark features prominently in a high-stakes Friday card that also showcases the $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII) for 3-year-old fillies racing on turf. As a special treat, the first 5,000 fans attending the event will receive a complimentary 2025 Churchill Downs calendar, generously sponsored by Humana.
For those eager to follow the thrilling action at Churchill Downs, fans can watch and place their bets on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering partner of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
POOLSIDE WITH SLIM LEADS FULL FIELD OF 3-YEAR-OLD FILLIES IN GRADE II, $300,000 MRS. REVERE – Poolside With Slim (IRE), a recent winner of the Valley View (GII) at Keeneland, stands as the focal point in a robust field of 12 3-year-old fillies, alongside three also-eligibles, entered in the 33rd running of the $300,000 Mrs. Revere (Grade II) at Churchill Downs this Friday.
Scheduled to be contested over a distance of 1 1/16-mile on turf, the Mrs. Revere is set as Race 10 on the card, just one race prior to the $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GII), which is anticipated to go off at 5:48 p.m., with the Mrs. Revere featuring a post time of 5:18 p.m.
Owned by Bo Bromagen, Patrick Lewis, and Sandra Bromagen, Poolside With Slim boasts an impressive record with three wins from eight starts. Her standout accomplishments include a confident 1 ¼-length victory in the Valley View and a hard-fought win by a head in the Penn Oaks at Penn National in May. Under the expert guidance of trainer Rusty Arnold II, this talented filly by Churchill (IRE) will be ridden by the distinguished Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, starting from post No. 12.
Challenging Poolside With Slim are several other proven and promising fillies, including Pin Up Betty, who triumphed in the Regret (GIII) earlier this year at Churchill Downs; Pharoah’s Wine, the runner-up to Poolside With Slim in the Valley View; and Kehoe Beach, who enters the Mrs. Revere on the heels of two commanding allowance victories.
The field for the Mrs. Revere in post position order (with jockey and trainer):
· Dancing N Dixie (Ricardo Santana Jr., Mark Casse)
· Buchu (Irad Ortiz Jr., Phil Bauer)
· Kehoe Beach (Frankie Dettori, Wesley Ward)
· Pharoah’s Wine (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans)
· Chilled (Luan Machado, Vicki Oliver)
· Pin Up Betty (Brian Hernandez Jr., Mike Maker)
· Minoshka (GB) (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh)
· Neon Icon (Julien Leparoux, Arnold)
· Pounce (Florent Geroux, Mark Casse)
· Simply In Front (Luis Saez, Eddie Kenneally)
· Maxisuperfly (Abel Cedillo, Eric Foster)
· Poolside With Slim (Velazquez, Arnold)
· (AE) Adrasteia (Albin Jiminez, Fergus Bogle)
· (AE) Breezing Along (Evin Roman, Anna Meah)
· (AE) Sanctify (Julio Felix, Hutch Holsapple)
The day will commence with the first of 12 races on Friday, officially starting at 1 p.m. Fans can catch all the exhilarating action streamed live and participate in wagering from Churchill Downs on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering platform of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
SALUTE TO KENTUCKY OAKS WINNER THORPEDO ANNA SCHEDULED FOR BLACK FRIDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – This Black Friday, attendees at Churchill Downs will have a special moment to pay tribute to one of horse racing’s rising stars, Thorpedo Anna, the celebrated winner of the 2024 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) and a strong contender for the prestigious 2024 Horse of the Year title.
The remarkable 3-year-old filly will be showcased in the Churchill Downs paddock during Race 7, from approximately 3:30-3:50 p.m. Thorpedo Anna will parade to the paddock alongside the field for Race 7 and will remain there throughout the race, offering spectators a unique opportunity to celebrate her trailblazing season up close.
Thorpedo Anna, owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing, has crafted an impressive resume this season under the skilled guidance of trainer Kenny McPeek. Her dominance in the 3-year-old division is highlighted by Grade I victories not only in the Kentucky Oaks but also in the Acorn Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, Cotillion Stakes, and most recently, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) where she faced older females at Del Mar.
DOWN THE STRETCH – Racing resumed Friday at Churchill Downs for a 10-race program commencing at 1 p.m. The Derby City 6 Jackpot has surged to $144,887, starting in Race 5. … Notably, jockey Tyler Gaffalione was absent from his mounts on Friday but is optimistic about returning to the saddle on Saturday. … Jockey Julien Leparoux competed with two mounts in Races 4 and 7 on Friday’s card as he edges closer to the impressive milestone of 3,000 career wins, entering the day just one win shy of this achievement. … The season finale of “Inside Churchill Downs” will air Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7, providing a one-hour preview of Saturday’s racing card and an advanced look at some of the stakes races scheduled for Thanksgiving week. For those outside the Louisville area, listeners can tune in live on www.espnlouisville.com.
What can fans expect from the celebration of Thorpedo Anna’s victory at Churchill Downs?
Edo Anna’s connections, including owner Cathy and John D. Hasty and trainer Ken McPeek, will be present to celebrate her incredible victory. This event is an exciting opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with the talented filly who captured hearts with her impressive performance.
In addition to the salute to Thorpedo Anna, Black Friday at Churchill Downs promises an action-packed card with 12 races, featuring both thoroughbred and stakes races that span the afternoon and into the evening. As is tradition, this day will shine a spotlight on the future stars of the sport, ensuring there’s plenty of excitement for racing enthusiasts.
For fans eager to catch all the racing action, tickets are available for purchase on the Churchill Downs website or at the gate on the day of the event. With a full slate of races, including the highly anticipated Clark and Mrs. Revere, this Black Friday at Churchill Downs is set to provide thrilling moments and unforgettable experiences for all who attend. Don’t miss this chance to see the future stars of the track and celebrate the accomplishments of a promising champion like Thorpedo Anna.