Betting The Clark Handicap on a $20 Budget
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Departing, whose last graded stakes win came in the Super Derby in September of 2013, is the Clark's morning line favorite. (Photo courtesy of Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.)
The $500,000 Clark Handicap is the last Grade 1 race at Churchill Downs until 2015. It is one of the oldest races in the United States and currently run at 1 1/8 mile on the dirt.
No. 1 Hoppertunity: Hoppertunity‘s Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is arguably the nation’s best shipper. Off a near seven month layoff, Hoppertunity ran a game second his last time out when caught three wide into the stretch. He stretches out today and should be dangerous.
No. 4 Departing: This classy gelding is the horse for the course, he’s hit the board every time he’s run at Churchill. A lukewarm favorite for trainer Al Stall and jockey Robby Albarado, he’s the logical choice to complete my trifectas. Departing should be in contention at the end.
No. 7 Constitution: Undefeated until his last time out, Constitution won the Grade 1 Florida Derby earlier this year. An early Kentucky Derby favorite but removed from the trail after an injury in mid-April, Constitution needed his return race to get back in the game after a more than six-month layoff. He figures to have the perfect trip and under top combination, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano, he’s been working well since that failed effort on Oct. 12 and looks primed to return to the winner’s circle.
Vick’s Picks: No. 7 Constitution, No. 1 Hoppertunity, and No. 4 Departing
Strategy A: $20 win on No. 7 Constitution = $20
Strategy B: $10 Exacta 7 with 1, 4 = $20
Strategy C: $5 trifecta part wheel: 7 with 1, 4 with 1, 4 = $10 & $5 trifecta part wheel ($10): 1 with 4, 7 with 4, 7 = $10
$500,000 Clark Handicap
Friday, Churchill Downs, Race 11, Post time 5:35 p.m. ET
1 1/8 miles on the dirt for three-year-olds and up
PP
Horse
Jockey
Weight
Trainer
1
Hoppertunity (KY)
Martin Garcia
118
Bob Baffert
2
Prayer for Relief (KY)
Ricardo Santana Jr.
118
Dale Romans
3
Knights Nation (KY)
Julien Leparoux
114
Dallas Stewart
4
Departing (KY)
Robby Albarado
121
Al Stall
5
Easter Gift (KY)
Joel Rosario
117
Chad Brown
6
Protonico (KY)
Joe Bravo
117
Todd Pletcher
7
Constitution (KY)
Javier Castellano
119
Todd Pletcher
8
Looking Cool (KY)
Chris Landeros
112
Murat Sancal
9
Pick of the Litter(KY)
Corey Lanerie
121
Dale Romans