Clark guide: Get odds, picks, analysis and past performances
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
The Grade 2, $600,000 Clark Stakes is Friday's feature at Churchill Downs. The historic 1 1/8-mile contest is not a Grade 1 this year but the field is still fairly salty.
.
First Mission is going for his fourth win in just his fifth career start as the 3-1 favorite. He hit the national stage with a win in the Lexington (G3) before scratching out of the Preakness. Listed at second-choice at 4-1 is Il Miracolo, who seeks his second graded stakes score of the year.
.
We've got you covered with Ed DeRosa's fair odds for the Clark, plus Super Screener picks and analysis below.
.
But before we get into the picks, let's take a look at the best speed figures of 2023 for this group. If you want to check out HRN's free past performances page, you can download free PPs courtesy of our partners at Brisnet.
| Post | Horse | Beyer | TimeformUS | HRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Straight Arrow | 95 | 121 | 101 |
| 2 | First Mission | 98 | 119 | 106 |
| 3 | Il Miracolo | 98 | 122 | 103 |
| 4 | Gasoline | 99 | 119 | 106 |
| 5 | Trademark | 99 | 120 | 105 |
| 6 | Film Star | 98 | 124 | 108 |
| 7 | Giant Game | 99 | 125 | 105 |
| 8 | Happy American | 99 | 122 | 102 |
| 9 | Stage Raider | 97 | 116 | 106 |
| 10 | Blue Devil | 98 | 118 | 105 |
Looking at the pace
The HRN pace report gives the Clark a pace rating of 82, which is shaded orange and considered quite fast. Any pace rating in the 60s is considered fast. No. 6 Film Star (5-1) and no. 7 Giant Game (12-1) figure to be among those pressing the issue up front, with no. 3 Il Miracolo, no. 4 Gasoline and no. 5 Trademark not far behind.
.
HRN Clark picks
The Super Screener performance from the Breeders' Cup was just the start of a fall hot streak. It will look to continue on this winning pace in the Clark, with no. 2 First Mission and no. 10 Blue Devil profiling as the most likely winners.
.
Here's what Super Screener has to say about top long shot Blue Devil:
.
After toiling over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park, [Blue Devil] started to come to life when switched to turf. Then the real ascent occurred when he was tried on dirt for the first time winning by 12 lengths, albeit, against just two other runners. However, he won again against infinitely tougher going 9.5 furlongs at Saratoga and then held his own last out in the Lukas Classic (G2) over this surface and distance.
.
Be sure to take advantage of Super Screener's winter offer with one low price through the 2024 Pegasus World Cup.
.
Reinier Macatangay's Clark analysis focuses on no. 2 First Mission as the key to hitting the trifecta as the morning-line favorite.
.
Ed DeRosa's fair odds indicate First Mission is a win threat but is up against it from a pace perspective, making no. 10 Blue Devil an upset threat at 10-1 on the morning line.
Here is the full field for the Clark:
2023 Clark Stakes G2
Read More
C2 Racing Stable and Gary Barber issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the post-parade scratch of White Abarrio...
The Grade 3 Mother Goose Stakes on Saturday at Aqueduct is a competitive matchup between established Grade 1...
This week's Prospect Watch showcases young horses with elite bloodlines making their debuts and early career starts across...
While most attention was on the Breeders' Cup last week, several horses got their first wins in impressive...
The Triple Crown Tracker checks in with the horses who raced in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and...