Shotgun Kowboy in Final Pre-Clark Breeze

Shotgun Kowboy, winner of the Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) and Oklahoma Classics Cup at Remington Park, turned in his final breeze Nov. 18 at his home track leading up to the $500,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I).

Prepping for his first start outside Oklahoma and his first in grade I company for owner C.R. Trout, who also bred and trains the horse, the Kodiak Kowboy gelding breezed a half in :49.44 with jockey Cliff Berry in the irons.

"It was probably the best he's been," Trout said of the work. "Cliff told me he was full of himself and he really had to hold on to him this morning. He's so comfortable and doing everything so easy right now. He danced all the way back to the barn and was on his toes. Everything was in our favor and we're excited."

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Shotgun Kowboy Wins Classics Cup

Shotgun Kowboy will travel to Churchill Downs Nov. 20. Trout plans to leave before dawn Friday morning for the approximately 12-hour trip to Louisville, Ky. Once settled in beneath the Twin Spires, Shotgun Kowboy will school to the paddock and have a couple of gallops over the Churchill surface to get familiar with the venue in his days leading up to the race.

LEWYN: OK-Bred Shotgun Kowboy Takes Oklahoma Derby

The Nov. 27 Clark Handicap, for 3-year-olds and older going 1 1/8 miles, is the marquee event in North American racing on Black Friday.