Tom's d'Etat gets his Grade 1, winning Churchill's Clark

As G M B Racing headed to the 2016 Kentucky Derby with a pair of promising colts, trainer Al Stall Jr. reassured the group, led by the since-deceased New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, that a horse in need of a bit more time could wind up the best of their bunch.

Years later, Tom’s d’Etat made good on that when the 6-year-old horse who has overcome myriad physical issues to compete at the top level registered a decisive victory in Churchill Downs’ Grade 1, $600,000 Clark Stakes.

Taken off the pace for a ground-saving trip, the son of Smart Strike leapt from fifth through the turn to the lead with a swift turn of foot, then left the rest in a field of 11 to fight for second under the Twin Spires.

G M B Racing, now led by Gayle Benson, Tom's wife, was rewarded for its patience with this full horse, who could garner a stallion deal or go on to lucrative races that begin 2020, perhaps including the new $20 million Saudi Cup.

It has been quite a journey, as Tom's d'Etat didn't enter stakes company until his ninth start last December.

"All that time, it's come together now," said Stall, who had to stop due to bone chips and other issues. "He's been great for the past 18 months or so. He's getting ready to turn 7 years old, but he's like a fountain of youth type of horse. It's unbelievable."

Void of major setbacks this season, Tom's d'Etat was graded stakes-placed in Churchill Downs’ Alysheba (G2) and Stephen Foster (G1); won Saratoga’s Alydar Stakes; and entered the Clark off a victory in Keeneland’s Fayette (G2).

The Clark had long been a target for Tom’s d’Etat, who defeated Owendale, a late runner exiting the Breeders’ Cup Classic, by 3 1/4 lengths. Mr Freeze was another head back in third and Draft Pick, a west coast shipper, finished fourth in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Tom’s d’Etat hit the wire under jockey Joel Rosario in a final time of 1:48.84 after chasing the opening fractions carved out by New York-bred Mr. Buff of 23.02 and 47.42, too swift for that one to maintain.

"He was handling everything fine, and I was always waiting for the right time to get him going," Rosario said. "I got a little room before turning for home. He just kind of took the lead right away there and kept going."

As those fighting for the lead going into the turn faded coming out of it, Tom’s d’Etat emerged and drove on to a career-defining victory, which improved his record to 9-2-1 in 16 starts.

Earlier this season, Tom's d'Etat went into graded company for the first time when finishing ninth in the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park. A return could be in order, but the Saudi Cup, run at the end of February, doesn't have the same $500,000 entry fee.

"Or maybe we'll let people go out there and beat themselves up on the road, we'll stay domestic and see what happens," Stall said. "Or he could actually be retired with a proper stud deal. We're open to all options, and whatever we do's going to be best for the animal."

Off as the 4-5 Clark favorite, Tom's d'Etat returned $3.80 to win.