Clark Weekend Results
- Updated: December 5, 2016
Mary M. Meek/Eclipse Sportswire
G1 Clark Handicap
Gun Runner finally broke through winning his first G1 taking this field from gate to wire and drawing away in the end. Here’s a 3 yr-old that really hasn’t had a break since his 3rd place finish in the Kentucky Derby. While Arrogate is clearly late blooming 3 yr. old freak of a horse, Gun Runner sure takes the prize for most consistent and sturdy 3 yr-old stakes star out there. Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about Gun Runner:
“(Gun Runner) 3 yr-old just keeps racing. Waiting for a flop but he has been game in every race on a fast track. Another that prefers this surface. Of all here, the best energy distribution profile for the pace set up. Still sharp…use.”
Probably the most satisfying outcome for the Super Screener was isolating Breaking Lucky as our top long shot bomber of the race. Odds of 46-1 were just ridiculously good (we were just hoping to get something close to 20-1!) especially after our analysis revealed the following:
#7 Breaking Lucky is our top Long Shot pick in this race. Nearly held on to win the salty G2 Suburban at 48-1. Toss last on the wet surface. Another 4 year-old just getting good at the right time and prime player to blow up the board. Screener rates that 11/6 work as tops which only lends more confidence. Hoping for at least 20-1.
That second place finish to Gun Runner keyed a Screener suggested $10 Exacta wager pay off of over $760.
Perhaps the second most satisfying outcome in this race was the Screener’s ability to identify Noble Bird as a false favorite in this race. As anticipated, he flopped off that big top and at odds of 5-2. Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about Noble Bird:
“(Noble Bird)” Always dangerous on the lone lead no matter the fractions and they were sizzling in the Fayette. Loves this surface but note his big flops off those big tops. Never runs back to his last top effort. Risky but placing him here.
Our top win pick Shaman Ghost did manage to finish a game third but just didn’t get out of the gate in a timely way and with only one race since July, it turned out he didn’t have enough foundation to effectively compete better in this race.
G2 Remsen
Another 2 year-old stakes race and another chalk fest with the top three favorites making up the Trifecta. Our top win pick, No Dozing, had another less-than-ideal start and a wide trip but was clearly 2nd best. Here’s what the Super Screener had to say about No Dozing:
The Super Screener projects that #9 No Dozing looms much the best. His race against Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Classic Empire was super impressive. He got pinched at the start and lost 3 lengths, then he went 4 wide on both turns and only finished 4 lengths behind Classic Empire. Tab this one as a single candidate for horizontal wagers. Super Screener is selecting this one as the top win contender with conviction.
The Super Screener was pretty high on Mo Town as well…
“(Mo Town) Dangerous Dutrow charge off since Sept. That 11/19 work was impressive and suggests the colt could be ready for a big effort. J.R. Velazquez sticks. Stalked a slow pace last out and still blew them away. Contender.”
Our top long shot bomber pick, Tellmeafookystory did go off at big odds (34-1) but inexplicably never ran a lick. Tab this one as a potential come back bomber in his next race.
Though paltry, suggested $1.50 Trifecta did cash but flip the order of the top two and you are looking at multiple Exacta, Trifecta and even the Superfecta hits. Close, however, doesn’t count in horse racing.
G2 KY Jockey Club Stakes
The parade of favorites continued with the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club 4-5 choice, #11 McCraken winning this race in convincing fashion. The rest of this race was orderly in its outcome as well.
Our top long shot pick #5 Silent Decree did manage to finish best of the other six 20-1+ long shots in the race but couldn’t crack the Superfecta due to another Super Screener pick having a a rough start at the gate and then fanning 8 wide to come on strong but too late to impact the Exotics. Another horse to tab for his next start.
We admittedly didn’t give #3 Wild Shot enough love anticipating a hot pace to form in this one, which never materialized and the result was a good 2nd place finish. With #3 Wild Shot finishing and No Dozing finishing 2nd today and Gunnevera victorious in last week’s Jackpot race, the winning horse they all ran behind in his past two outings including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Classic Empire, is confirming that he deserves early favoritism on the long road to the Kentucky Derby.
As we welcome the month of December our racing action turns to a great closing Saturday card at Del Mar featuring in the G1 Hollywood Cup and it also marks the opening weekend of the always much anticipated opening of the Gulfstream Park meet where the best barns move their tacks for the Winter.
Until then, make it a powerful week and “go fast and win”!
Mike
