Friday guide: Hit Show, Rattle N Roll clash in Clark Stakes

For those seeking something richer than Thanksgiving leftovers, Churchill Downs offers a full plate of racing Friday highlighted by the Grade 2, $600,000 Clark Stakes. Hit Show tops a field of nine for the 1 1/8-mile feature for 3-year-olds and up, looking to cap his year with a victory closer to home after proving himself against the world's best in the Dubai World Cup (G1).

The Clark sets up as a rematch of October's Fayette Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. Hit Show won that race by a length over Rattle N Roll, last year's Clark champion looking for redemption.

Hit Show earned his biggest victory in March when he captured the $12 million Dubai World Cup, establishing himself as one of America's best older horses. Trained by Brad Cox, he carries topweight of 125 pounds and has won at Churchill twice, including last year's Lukas Classic (G2). Irad Ortiz Jr. rides from post 3 at 3-1 on the morning line.

Rattle N Roll seeks to defend his Clark title for trainer Kenny McPeek. The 6-year-old rallied from off the pace to win last year's edition over Most Wanted. This year, Rattle N Roll raced internationally, finishing fifth in the Saudi Cup (G1) and eighth in the Dubai World Cup. He finished second in the Fayette, rallying from last to miss Hit Show by a length. Brian Hernandez Jr. rides at 7-2.

First Mission gives Cox a second chance at the winner's circle. The 5-year-old Godolphin homebred won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in April and finished third in the Stephen Foster (G1) behind Mindframe and Sierra Leone. He was fourth in his most recent start, the Goodwood Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita in September. Flavien Prat rides at 5-1.

Three 3-year-olds look to prove themselves against older horses. Gosger, trained by Brendan Walsh, finished second in the Preakness Stakes and won the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland in April. He was third behind Hit Show and Rattle N Roll in the Fayette. Luis Saez rides at 4-1 with blinkers added.

Magnitude won the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds in February and took the Iowa Derby in July. Steve Asmussen sends out the colt, who finished third in the Travers Stakes (G1) and second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). José Ortiz rides at 9-2.

Chunk of Gold comes off a 8 1/4-length allowance win at Keeneland for trainer Ethan West. He won the West Virginia Derby (G3) and was second in both the Ohio Derby (G3) and Louisiana Derby (G2) earlier this year. Javier Alvarado rides at 10-1.

Also in the field are Willy D's, who was second in the Charles Town Classic (G2) for Michael Maker; Cooke Creek, who won the Battery Park stakes at Del Mar for Maker; and Who Dey, who ships in from Ohio off a win in the Best of Ohio Endurance stakes at Mahoning Valley.

The Clark is race 11 with a post time of 5:54 p.m. EST.

Coverage of Churchill Downs is on FanDuel TV.

Free past performances for Friday's stakes are courtesy of Brisnet.

Speed figures

Here are the lifetime top speed figures of the Clark (G2) entrants.

*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are provided courtesy of Daily Racing Form.

HRN handicappers

Matt Shifman breaks down the Clark field horse-by-horse.

Ed DeRosa has fair odds for the Clark, where he believes an Ohio-bred long shot is key to cashing tickets Friday.

HorseCenter's Matt Shifman and Brian Zipse celebrate Thanksgiving weekend by discussing the fields for the Clark and Mrs. Revere.

Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis have conflicting selections on who to play as they go Head to Head handicapping the Clark.

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