By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
The day after Thanksgiving is perhaps best known for its “Black Friday” holiday sale, but on the horse racing front it doubles as Churchill Downs hosts the 750,000 Clark S. (G1) USD.
Held over 1 1/8 mile, Clark dates back to 1875 and has held the 1st place since 2010. For the past 15 or so years, Clark has simultaneously served as the end of season opportunity for the horses to reinforces their Eclipse Award credentials (think Will Take Charge) and is the stage for the emerging types of people that herald their success in the coming year (think Blame, Wise Dan, and Gun Runner).
Clark 2022 has both types of horses among its seven entries. Big name no doubt #4 The Wealth Strike, an upset 80-1 winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Rich Strike was a shock winner on the first Saturday of May, but since then, he’s reasserted his talent by beating older opponents in the Lukas Classic (G2) while finishing in a respectable fourth place in Travers S. (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Rich Strike regularly generates a strong protracted rally and should appreciate a return to Churchill Downs, the surprise site of his Kentucky Derby. Both of Rich Strike’s career victories went to Churchill, as did the defeat to Lukas Classic. Keen Ice’s son seems to run a little better under Twin Spiers than anywhere else.
But is Rich Strike a key to winning Clark? Unnecessary. There’s not much pace in Friday’s field, so Rich Strike could be at a disadvantage by his extended running style. And one of the most exciting upstarts is a speed horse who seeks to capitalize on modest speed.
The horse I’m thinking of is
#7 Western Willpower. The five-year-old son of Preakness S. (G1) winner Bernardini has shown some talent in 2021, most notably finishing second in Philip H. Iselin S. (G3) after multiple Place 1 winners. Code of Honor. But West Will Power has improved its game since transferring it to two-time Eclipse Award-winning coach Brad Cox.
West Will Power began his 2022 campaign in RA “Cowboy” Jones S. and fell flatly, rallying from midfield to finish second with a header against the winner from start to finish. last #3 Prohibition. It’s been a solid effort after 10 months of layoffs and West Will Power hasn’t lost since, wiring the claimant of the 1 1/8 mile subsidy option at Churchill Downs to 2 3/4 of the length before take the lead to dominate Keeneland’s 1 1/8 mile Fayette S. (G2) by 6 3/4 length.
West Will Power’s Fayette performance was powerful. Yes, he took an uncontrollable lead through slow fractions of :25,17, :49,17 and 1:13.93. But West Will Power got off to a strong start at home, sprinting the last leg in: 12.01 (an excellent dirt track) to beat the classified bet winners Fulsome, Last Samurai, King Fury and First Captain have authority.
West Will Power actually finished even faster in his allowance win at Churchill, running the fourth quarter mile with a time: 23.84 and the final lap lasting: 11.74 to hit defeated Belmont alumnus S. (G1) Intrepid Heart and Cupid’s Claws classified bet winner with ease.
I don’t think we’ve seen the best of West Will Power. He has improved through each run this season and boasts a 3-2-1-0 record in the 1 1/8 mile race. I envision West Will Power tracking Injunction during Clark’s early stages before taking command and returning to Rich Strike for his first Class 1 win.
For the sub-prizes, Authorization No. 1 is worth a look. Tapit’s son hasn’t missed a board in a dozen starts, including seven graded bets. This year alone, Proxy finished second in the New Orleans Classic (G2), third in Ben Ali S. (G3) and second in Stephen Foster S. (G2) while playing against the bet winners. classified Olympiad, Americanrevolution, and Dynamic One. Proxy hasn’t run since July, but he joined Clark after a few bullet exercises and won’t come back after a 10-and-a-half month break to start 2022, so I’m optimistic that Proxy can his typical top 4 finish.
Now it’s your turn! Who do you like in Clark?
*****
Want to test your handicap skills against other Unlocking Winners readers? Test Unlock the Winner contest page—There’s a new challenge every week! (Please note: older entries can be found here.)
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, disabled athlete, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
