Seeking the Soul emerges in gutsy 2017 Clark Handicap win
By Jonathan Lintner
A year ago, likely Horse of the Year Gun Runner broke through to win his first Grade 1 race in Churchill Downs’ Clark Handicap. If the Fall Meet feature is again an indicator of what’s ahead, trainer Dallas Stewart has a future star in Seeking the Soul.
The 4-year-old by Perfect Soul hooked off the rail, passed favorite Diversify and prevailed with a late drive Friday to win the $500,000 race under the Twin Spires.
At odds of 7-1, Seeking the Soul exited a nine-length Keeneland allowance win on Oct. 21 in which he set the 1 1/16-mile track record. This time, he ran to 1 1/8 at Churchill in a final time of 1:48.88 under birthday boy John Velazquez.
"He's just gotten good, and we gave him plenty of time between races," Stewart said.
The run survived a rider objection made by third-place finisher Hoppertunity’s rider, Florent Geroux, as space grew tight near the wire. Good Samaritan made an outside charge in the stretch for second as the only 3-year-old in the field of mostly older male horses.
“He drifted a little bit down the lane, but I didn’t think it caused anything," Velazquez said. "…I never closed the door to the other guy. We were going to be the winner anyway.”
Making a move from mid-pack, the Charles Fipke homebred ran off Diversify’s opening fractions 23.34 and 47.35. They had the recent Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner two lengths in front up the back stretch, but at a pace he couldn’t hold.
Good Samaritan and Hoppertunity were at the back of the field, with Hoppertunity, the 2014 Clark winner, returning for his fourth try at this race.
Seeking the Soul improved his record to 5-3-5 in 17 starts. He’s a name most remembered for a try at the 2016 Belmont Stakes out of a maiden win. That day, he finished 12th. Stewart’s gamble paid off far better in the Clark.
The trainer, owner and jockey also partnered to win the Breeders' Cup Distaff earlier this month with Forever Unbridled.
"It's been a great month -- two great horses," said Stewart, who has Forever Unbridled pointed toward the Pegasus World Cup. As for Seeking the Soul, he said, "I haven't even really thought about it. I'm going to have a great dinner tonight and enjoy the win."