Churchill Downs: Black Friday Marks Return of Maxfield in Clark Handicap

Friday’s headline event from Churchill will be the Grade 1 Clark. The event will feature several names from Derby trails gone by. This includes Maxfield and Midnight Bourbon.

Clark Handicap Card Analysis

Churchill Downs Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; Purse: $50,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

#2 MY FAVORITE UNCLE (3-1) merits strong consideration in this spot given the connections and the competitive speed figures. #4 SOUTHERNER (4-1) has a great shot in the race given the advantages in form & class. #1 OUT WORK'N (12-1) and #8 ROUSING SIREN (5-1) are both interesting horses at the morning line. Maiden claimers are unpredictable and these could play a big role in getting excised value on the tickets.

Selections: 2-4-1-8

Churchill Downs Race 2

Post: 1:28 PM ET; Purse: $66,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

#3 DARK TIMBER (5-2) has a great shot in the race given the advantages in speed & pace numbers. #5 BELFAST BOY (4-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. #1 ONCOMING TRAIN (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow. #6 ALTERED (12-1) a long shot that shouldn’t be overlooked to hit the board.

Selections: 3-5-1-6

Churchill Downs Race 3

Post: 1:57 PM ET; Purse: $54,000 Maiden Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

#8 CLOSET SHOPPER (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #3 HIGH FAIR (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the proven connections sending this one out. #1 PEYTON'S COLLEGE (4-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & record at the distance. #6 NOVEMBER ROSE (5-1) appears competitive, but I prefer others at the current price.

Selections: 8-3-1-6

Churchill Downs Race 4

Post: 2:27 PM ET; Purse: $134,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6

#6 EMILIA'S MOON (3-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. #4 JUDY'S WAY (5-1) is a major player based on speed figures. #5 STAND FOR THE FLAG (5-1) has stamina & pace numbers that make her dangerous here. #1 POWDER RIVER (5-1) is interesting for Joe Talamo and Norm Casse.

Selections: 6-4-5-1

Churchill Downs Race 5

Post: 2:57 PM ET; Purse: $120,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#1 SUPER SPORT (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & record at the distance. #3 ANNA VOLANTE (5-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's advantages in stamina & pace numbers. #2 SWEET TEA (5-1) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. #6 LITTLE BLAZE (10-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.

Selections: 1-3-2-6

Churchill Downs Race 6

Post: 3:27 PM ET; Purse: $52,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

#8 HOMBRAZO (6-5) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & power rating. #9 ALKHAATAM (9-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form. #6 SOMETHING NATURAL (8-1) is worth a look here given potential pace setup of the race. #4 NIETZSCHE (12-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 8-9-6-4

Churchill Downs Race 7

Post: 3:57 PM ET; Purse: $42,000 Maiden Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 13

#10 EPICUREAN (2-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's advantages in speed & connections. #5 PALM COURT (5-2) is another major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #2 JOAN'S WAY (10-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers. #13 STACY ATTACK (10-1) is interesting at the 10-1 morning line.

Selections: 10-5-2-13

Churchill Downs Race 8

Post: 4:27 PM ET; Purse: $54,000 Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#2 TUGGLE (2-1) has a great shot in the race given the advantages in speed & class. #4 MISTS OF TIME (6-1) seems a bit of an overlay at the morning line price. #6 SOL DEL SUR (4-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & record at the distance. #1 COCHISE CHARLIE (15-1) could round out the trifecta or superfecta and pump up the payout.

Selections: 2-4-6-1 (Best Bet: #2)

Churchill Downs Race 9

Post: 4:57 PM ET; Purse: $134,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 3/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

#3 PATAGONIA (5-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's advantages in speed & class. #2 ALLEGE (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in connections & power rating. #6 FARMINGTON ROAD (4-1) is worth a look here given edges in race flow & form. #8 IRONSTONE ROAD (20-1) is one that could surprise at a fat price.

Selections: 3-2-6-8

Churchill Downs Race 10

Post: 5:27 PM ET; Purse: $127,000 Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 13

#12 MILLIKEN (4-5) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form. I’m just not sure you want odds on coming from the 12 post. #9 INJUNCTION (8-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions. #7 GINSBURNED (10-1) is interesting drawn inside of the super chalk. #13 TIZ RYE TIME (20-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's advantages in connections & power rating.

Selections: 12-9-7-13

Churchill Downs Race 11

Post: 5:56 PM ET; Purse: $750,000 Clark S. presented by Norton Healthcare, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 8

#1 MIDNIGHT BOURBON (8-5) will be the likely front runner throughout much of the race. It is hard not to like the upgrade to Rosario after running the last few times with Santana aboard. No knocks on Santana but he has been ice cold and Rosario is one of the best in the country. #8 MAXFIELD (6-5) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & power rating. #3 DR POST (5-1) has to be respected based on the connections. #4 HAPPY SAVER (8-1) is worth a look here given the recent company and overall record at the distance. This one is in need of a bit of form reversal here.

Selections: 1–8-3-4

Churchill Downs Race 12

Post: 6:24 PM ET; Purse: $72,000 Starter Allowance, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

This is very likely the hardest race on the card to figure out and could provide a nice payday if you land in the right spots. #6 ONE FAST CAT (6-1) is competitive here and will almost assuredly be an overlay in the betting. #9 PIRATE RICK (10-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #10 EXTREME (10-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions. #1 GREENER PASTURES (5-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 6-9-10-1