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Take Charge Indy to Return in 2013

Take Charge Indy will remain in training for 2013 and winter in South Florida to train for his 4-year-old campaign, expected to include a start in the Feb. 9 Donn Handicap (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park.

After the Wire - 11/26/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Thanksgiving holiday weekend races, including the Remsen S., Cigar Mile, Clark H., and Fall Highweight H.

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Slideshow: 2012 Clark Handicap

Images from Shackleford's victory in the 2012 Clark Handicap.

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Shackleford Makes Exit With a Bang in Clark

Shackleford gave his fans something to remember in the final start of his career with a gate to wire victory in the 138th edition of the $447,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs.

Pool Play Out of Clark

Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) winner Pool Play was scratched from the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) the morning of the race, but not due to tendon issues similar to those he has battled in the past.

THS: The Clark Handicap

Claire and Frank preview the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Nov. 23.

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Shackleford Aims to Go Out On Top in Clark

In his final career start, classic winner Shackleford will try to add one more highlight Nov. 23 in a compelling edition of the Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Injury Threatens Neck 'n Neck's Racing Career

Neck 'n Neck has sustained a sesamoid injury in his left front leg that will require surgery and sideline him for at least six months.

Take Charge Indy Works in :35 2/5 for Clark

Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Take Charge Indy continued his preparations for Friday's $400,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) with a three-furlong workout in :35 2/5.

Shackleford Works, Still Clark or Cigar Mile

Potential Clark Handicap (gr. I) highweight Shackleford breezed at Churchill Downs Nov. 17; a decision will be made Nov. 19 regarding his final start. Clark contenders Bourbon Courage and Cease were also on the worktab.

Weights Assigned for Clark, Falls City

Game On Dude was named the 125-pound highweight for the $400,000-added Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Nov. 23, but is not expected to run. The likely highweight could be Shackleford.

Clark Contenders Turn in Early Works

Highlighting the list of published works at Churchill Downs the morning of Nov. 10 were Take Charge Indy, Bourbon Courage and Cease. The trio of stakes winners is being pointed to the Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 23.

Nominees for Clark, Other Stakes Released

Nominations for five graded stakes events to be run closing week at Churchill Downs were released Nov. 10. Headlining 158 runners are Clark contenders Shackleford, Game on Dude, Pool Play, Take Charge Indy, and Coil.

Clark Contenders Turn in Early Works

Highlighting the list of published works at Churchill Downs the morning of Nov. 10 were Take Charge Indy, Bourbon Courage and Cease. The trio of stakes winners is being pointed to the Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 23.

Headed by Pool Play, Casse Trio Targets Clark

Bill Farish Jr.'s Pool Play will be pointed toward the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs, but the 7-year-old might not be the only Clark starter for trainer Mark Casse.

Golden Ticket to Bypass Breeders' Cup

Golden Ticket, dead-heat winner of the Travers Stakes (gr. I), was not pre-entered in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) and will be out for an undetermined period of time, trainer Ken McPeek said Oct. 23.

Lunar Victory Hangs Tough in Empire Classic

Lunar Victory and Saratoga Snacks were the favorite and second choice, respectively, in the $250,000 Empire Classic at Belmont Park Oct. 20--and they ran that way.

Reduced Clark 'Cap Heads Churchill Fall Meet

The Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) heads a schedule of 12 stakes races with total purses of $1.8 million set for the Oct. 28-Nov. 25 fall meet at Churchill Downs, but the purse will be reduced.

Wise Dan Impresses in Clark Handicap

Versatile gelding Wise Dan registered the first grade I victory of his career when he wore down Mission Impazible in the final furlong to easily capture the $500,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Nov. 25.

2011 Clark - Predict the Order

Who will win the Clark Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs? Will it be one of the horses that ran in the Breeders' Cup, or a new face? How will the others finish?

Predict the Order

THS: Clark Handicap 2011

Jason, Tom, and Steve Pallardy of TwinSpires.com handicap the Clark Handicap from Churchill Downs.

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Clark at Churchill Has Breeders' Cup Look

This year's Breeders' Cup may be a memory, but no fewer than five horses that competed in the 2011 World Championships are back at Churchill Downs for the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 25.

Flat Out Assigned Top Weight for Clark

Flat Out, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) and beaten favorite in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) two weeks ago, has been assigned the high weight of 123 pounds for the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 25.

Flat Out Will Run in Clark Handicap

Flat Out, a two-time graded stakes winner this year, will run in the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) his connections said Nov. 16.

Mission Impazible Works Toward Clark Handicap

Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Mission Impazible, runner-up in the June 18 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), breezed five furlongs Nov. 12 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Clark Handicap (gr. I).

Drosselmeyer Could Race Again

WinStar Farm will make a decision on the future of the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner some time next week, the farm reported Nov. 9.

Churchill Fall Stakes Program Worth $2.12M

Churchill Downs has announced a 2011 fall meet stakes schedule similar that of last year, with the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) and two "Stars of Tomorrow" programs the headliners.

Leparoux, Desormeaux Suspended Three Days

Jockeys Julien Leparoux and Kent Desormeaux have been suspended by stewards for three days for their actions during the Clark Handicap on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Giant Oak Wins Clark by Disqualification

Giant Oak picked a good time to break his 14-race losing streak, as he was placed first in the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) when stewards disqualified favored Successful Dan for interference Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.

THS: The Clark Handicap

Jason, Tom, and James Scully of twinspires.com preview the Clark Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs on November 26.

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Successful Dan Primed for Clark Success

A year ago, a lightly raced 3-year-old named Blame used a victory in the Fayette Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland as a springboard to victory in his subsequent start in the Clark Handicap.

Successful Dan May Be Clark Highweight

Morton Fink's Successful Dan could be the starting in the highweight in the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27. The race is at 1 1/8 miles.

Clark Handicap Next for Brass Hat

Nine-year-old star Brass Hat is being pointed toward the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.

Einstein to Race at Least One More Time

Einstein will return to the track in 2010 for at least one more race, this according to Adena Springs general manager Eric Hamelback.

Arkansas Derby Among Three New Grade I Stakes

The Arkansas Derby, a major Triple Crown prep at Oaklawn Park, is one of three stakes upgraded to grade I status by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

Blame Points the Way in Huge Clark Verdict

Three-year-old Blame ensconced himself as a leading player in next year's national handicap picture when he seized the lead from fellow sophomore Misremembered at the eighth pole and held on for a neck victory in the $460,600 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27.

THS: The Clark (Video)

Jason, Tom, and James Scully of twinspires preview the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 27.

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Clark: Showdown For 3 Potential Champions

The Clark Handicap (gr. II) is always a solid race and a good way to put an exclamation point on not only the Churchill Downs fall meet, but the older handicap division.

Late-Season Clark 'Cap Attracts a Full Gate

There was plenty of interest at the entry box when it closed for the $400,000 Clark Handicap (gr. II), the premier post-Breeders' Cup handicap event around two turns on dirt in the United States. In all, 14 horses were entered for the Nov. 27 Clark, which is run at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs.

Einstein, 'Macho' Work Toward Clark Rematch

The Dallas Stewart-trained Macho Again and the Helen Pitts-Blasi-trained Einstein will have rematch Nov. 27 when the two horses are expected to be the starting high weights in the 135th running of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II).

Stewart: Macho Again 'Ready to Roll' in Clark

Trainer Dallas Stewart says Macho Again is "ready to roll" for the $400,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27.

Einstein Assigned Top Weight for Clark 'Cap

Stronach Stables' Einstein, unplaced in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), was assigned top weight of 123 pounds for the Nov. 27 Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs.

Clark Highlights Churchill Fall Stakes Lineup

The 135th renewal of the grade II, $400,000-added Clark Handicap highlights the 12 stakes races with total purses of $1.775 million for the Nov. 1-28 fall meet at historic Churchill Downs.

Delightful Kiss Works Toward 2009

Hobeau Farm's 4-year-old homebred gelding Delightful Kiss worked three furlongs in :35 4/5 Dec. 19 at Calder Race Course to earn a 'bullet' for the distance. The roan/gray son of Kissin Kris posted his first drill since finishing second in the $400,000 Clark Handicap (gr. II) Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.

Einstein Looks Brilliant in Clark

Einstein stormed past heavy favorite Commentator at the top of the stretch and then held off longshot Delightful Kiss to win the Nov. 28 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs by 1 1/2 lengths.

That Handicapping Show: Nov. 25 (Video)

This week, Jason and Tom analyze the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 28. Also Brisnet's handicapping expert "The Wizard" gives his "Spotlight Play" for Fair Grounds Race 8 on November 28.

Commentator Clear Choice in Clark

Like a fine wine, Commentator seems to get better with age. And on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs, Tracy Farmer's remarkable 7-year-old gelding will try to cap off a terrific season when he takes on seven rivals in the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II).

Commentator Headlines Clark Nominees

Tracy Farmer's two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator, Robert LaPenta's 2008 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Da' Tara and Four Roses Thoroughbreds' 2007 Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) winner Anak Nakal, all trained by Nick Zito, headline a list 26 horses nominated to the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) to be run Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.

Asmussen Rules Out Curlin for Clark

When majority owner Jess Jackson released a statement earlier this week announcing Curlin would be retired after this year, he also left the door open that the reigning Horse of the Year would make one final start before his racing career comes to an end.

Churchill Cuts Purses 10% for Fall Meet

Churchill Downs, for the second time, has cut purses for its fall meet. Among the casualties is the grade II Clark Handicap scheduled for Nov. 28.