Hit Show, Most Wanted Lead Cox’s Strong Hand in Friday’s Clark
At 11h31, on November 29, 2024 • By Churchill Downs
Trainer Brad Cox has stacked the entry box for the final week of Churchill Downs’ 2024 Fall Meet with 16 horses entered from Thursday through Sunday, including the top two choices in Friday’s $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II): Wathnan Racing’s multiple graded stakes winner Hit Show (3-1) and Gary and Mary West’s undefeated 3-year-old Most Wanted (7-2).
“It should be a fun weekend of racing. We’ve got a lot of nice horses entered,” Cox said. “The Clark is always a marquee race in the fall, and both horses fit the race well. We’re expecting top efforts from them both.”
Hit Show, a 4-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG), enters the Clark on a three-race win streak with victories in the Fayette (GII), Lukas Classic (GII) and West Virginia Governor’s Cup (GIII). He has earned more than $1.2 million with seven wins in 14 starts. As a 3-year-old, Hit Show finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) and fourth in the Belmont Stakes (GI), just 2 ¼ lengths behind winner Arcangelo. Tyler Gaffalione will ride Hit Show from post 6.
“He’s a really good horse and has trained well going into this race,” Cox said. “He’s won three in a row and we’re very proud of what he’s accomplished so far in his career.”
Most Wanted has also accomplished a lot in just four starts, winning the Ellis Park Derby and Oklahoma Derby (GIII). Jockey Florent Geroux, who has been aboard Hit Show in his last five starts, opted to ride Most Wanted in the Clark from post 5.
For owners Gary and Mary West, the Clark will feature a special rooting interest as they bred and previously campaigned Hit Show before privately selling him to Wathnan Racing this summer.
Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Clark is scheduled as Race 11 on Churchill Downs’ 12-race Black Friday card, with a post time of 5:48 p.m. First post is at 1 p.m.
