Venue & Conditions
Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Post Time: Race 11, post 5:54 PM ET
Race: Grade II Clark Stakes, 1 ⅛ miles dirt
Purse: $600,000
Weather forecast: Clear skies, ~42°F, cool late fall evening. Dirt track expected fast.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Hit Show (Post 3, 5–2): Cox/Ortiz Jr. combo; Fayette (G3) winner at Keeneland. Strong late kick, proven class. Top choice.
First Mission (Post 2, 3–1): Godolphin runner, tactical speed, Prat aboard. Consistent graded form, dangerous if pace is moderate.
Rattle N Roll (Post 6, 6–1): McPeek veteran, multiple graded wins. Needs pace to collapse, but reliable.
Who Dey (Post 7, 8–1): Rising 4YO, 8 wins in 13 starts. Dangerous if he handles class rise.
Magnitude (Post 9, 10–1): Asmussen colt, improving, but faces toughest test.
Cooke Creek (Post 1, 20–1): Maker gelding, allowance-level. Outsider.
Gosger (Post 4, 12–1): Walsh trainee, improving 3YO. First test vs older horses.
Chunk of Gold (Post 5, 15–1): Consistent, but ceiling below top tier.
Willy D’s (Post 8, 12–1): Honest gelding, exotics player, but unlikely winner.
Summary
The Clark Stakes 2025 is a deep Grade II dirt field headlined by Hit Show and First Mission, both proven graded winners. Rattle N Roll and Who Dey are live exotics players, while Magnitude offers upside as an improving 3YO. Expect a fast track, honest fractions, and a stretch duel between Hit Show and First Mission.
