Clark Stakes Handicapping Picks
Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2020 Clark Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds…plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? The 2020 Clark Stakes is set for November 27 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Here’s a preview of our top contenders.
Clark Stakes Preview and Prediction
- Race: Clark Stakes
- Purse: $500,000
- Track: Churchill Downs
- Date: November 27
- Post Time: 5:27 PM (ET)
- Live: Clark Stakes Odds: Click Here
2020 Clark Stakes Handicapping
Long known as the Clark Handicap, the Clark Stakes has in recent years become a tradition as the first major stakes race to be run in the US following the completion of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
This year’s edition of the Clark has drawn an excellent field of 14 runners, with several coming out of Breeders’ Cup races or other top-level events. Open to horses age three and older, the Clark is run at 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill dirt track.
Odds listed here are provided by Bovada’s racebook.
2020 Clark Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Code Of Honor Race Odds: 11-4
One of two co-favourites in the Bovada advance odds, Code Of Honor was last seen running second in the (G2) Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park in early October.
After winning a couple Grade 1 races last year – and finishing second in the Kentucky Derby – he opened 2020 with a win in the (G3) Westchester Stakes, but hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle in his last three starts.
Hall Of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has won the Clark twice, the last time way back in 1991. Jockey John Velazquez has three Clark wins, most recently in 2017.
2020 Clark Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: By My Standards Race Odds: 11-4
The other Bovada co-favourite, By My Standards comes into the Clark on a quick 20-day turn around after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Prior to that he had scored a win in the (G2) Alysheba Stakes at Churchill, marking his sixth top-two finish in a row for 2020. He had four wins in that span, with two of those coming at the Grade 2 stakes level.
Trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Gabriel Saez are both trying for their first Clark Stakes win.
2020 Clark Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Aurelius Maximus Race Odds: 15-2
A lightly raced four-year-old, Aurelius Maximus had some injury issues that limited him to just one start in 2019, but he seems to be back in prime shape in 2020. He started the season with a pair of open-length wins the allowance ranks, including two starts back at Churchill.
Last out he just missed in a game effort when when running second in the (G2) Hagyard Fayette Stakes finishing just a neck back of a winner who he’ll be facing here again.
Steve Asmussen was the winning trainer of the Clark in 2017. Ricardo Santana Jr. gets the call to ride.
2020 Clark Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping: Coastal Defence Race Odds: 12-1
Another one coming out of the Hagyard Fayette, Coastal Defence had all kinds of trip trouble in that race and ultimately finished fourth, but just a length back of the winner.
That was his first try in graded-stakes company. Prior to that he had a win at the allowance level on the Churchill dirt. For his career he has two wins and two runner-up finishes in his eight-race career.
He’s trained by Dale Romans, who won the Clark in 2012. Jockey Joe Talamo will be in the irons.
Here’s My 2020 Clark Stakes Free Pick.
Whether the competition was just a bit too tough, or he just couldn’t get ahold of the Keeneland dirt, I’m willing to give By My Standards an excuse for his effort in the BC Classic and play him here for the win.
While he’s coming back on short rest, that’s often a sign the connections believe he just didn’t run his race the last time out and have confidence he’ll bounce back with a big race.
I think Aurelius Maximus is a bit of a sleeper in here. With a bit more distance he would have been a last-out winner and with him getting that extra distance on Friday, I’ll box him with By My Standards in the exacta.
Full Field: Clark Stakes Betting Odds
- Code Of Honor 11-4
- By My Standards 11-4
- Aurelius Maximus 15-2
- Mr. Freeze 8-1
- Owendale 8-1
- Coastal Defence 12-1
- Bodexpress 16-1
- Silver Prospector 16-1
- Title Ready 16-1
- Crafty Daddy 20-1
- Multiplier 25-1
- Bourbon Calling 33-1
- Plus Que Parfait 40-1
- Phantom Currency 40-1
What do you think of our 2020 Clark Stakes Race Odds & Predictions? Weigh in below with a comment. We welcome your feedback.
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