In what was probably America’s most anticipated race in the older horse division since the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic nearly four weeks ago, the 151st running of the GII Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs Friday lived up to expectations and then some. Runaway GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes winner and Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer Magnitude (c, 3, Not This Time–Rockadelic, by Bernardini), one of the most heralded 3-year-olds on the Derby Trail at the beginning of the year, put it all together in his first start against older horses to capture the historic race over Wathnan Racing’s G1 Dubai World Cup hero Hit Show.
“It’s so great to win this race, especially with him showing a different dimension by sitting just off the lead,” said winning Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. “I think we’ve always been excited about his level of talent. For him to put it all together here and turn the corner, it’s a good sign for next year.”
“It was a great trip today,” said Magnitude’s rider Jose Ortiz. “We planned to sit about second or third if we couldn’t get the lead. The entire race he was traveling great. He had to dig in late to get by but he was very game. He has a ton of talent and I think will get better into next year.”
A $450,000 Keeneland September yearling, Magnitude was last seen finishing second to Baeza (McKinzie) in the Sept. 20 GI Pennsylvania Derby, which followed a third in the GI Travers Stakes behind dual Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief). He captured the Iowa Derby in July at Prairie Meadows by more than nine lengths after nearly five months on the sidelines.