Churchill: All tuned up for Clark

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Pretty much all of the 12 or so prospects for the Grade 1 Clark Handicap had their final prerace workouts within the last few days toward the closing-week feature event.

Flat Out, with Alex Solis in to ride, is the 123-pound highweight and likely favorite for the $500,000 Clark on Friday. Scooter Dickey was pleased with how the 5-year-old horse blew out for the 1 1/8-mile race with an easy half-mile breeze early Saturday over a fast Churchill Downs surface. “I didn’t want anything great, but it was great anyway,” said Dickey.

Among those expected to challenge Flat Out in the 137th Clark are Wise Dan, Ruler On Ice, Prayer for Relief, and General Quarters. Entries were to be drawn Tuesday.

First post reverts to 12:40 p.m. for Friday and the two following cards that end this 21-day meet. Later races will be run under the lights.

Gemologist taking familiar path

WinStar Farm and Pletcher are hoping to follow the path that Super Saver blazed two years ago when they are represented Saturday with Gemologist in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Super Saver dominated the 2009 KJC Stakes before returning a little more than five months later to win the 136th Kentucky Derby for WinStar and Pletcher.

Gemologist, unbeaten in two starts, is one of about eight colts and geldings expected for the KJC.

The KJC and its sister race, the Golden Rod Stakes, anchor the second Stars of Tomorrow program of the meet. Both stakes are Grade 2, $150,000 races at 1 1/16 miles. All Saturday races are for 2-year-olds. Entries will be drawn Wednesday.