Officials may try to lure BC Classic rematch for Clark Handicap

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A do-over in the Clark Handicap for the principals in the Breeders’ Cup Classic scrum would be fantastic for racing fans, although the liklihood of it actually occurring appears iffy at best.

Churchill Downs officials acknowledged Wednesday that an attempt to attract any or all of Bayern, California Chrome, and Shared Belief to the Nov. 28 Clark is being discussed within the company, although they were unwilling to divulge any particulars.

The Grade 1, $500,000 Clark is a 1 1/8-mile race that theoretically would provide a terrific setting to resolve leftover issues from the BC Classic, in which Bayern prevailed in wire-to-wire fashion, with California Chrome third and the previously unbeaten Shared Belief a very troubled fourth. Obviously, the race has generated tremendous controversy.

There is precedent at Churchill for such a race being attractive to would-be participants: Curlin was enticed to run in (and win) the 2008 Stephen Foster when the purse was raised from $750,000 to $1 million, and Will Take Charge was entered in (and won) the Clark last year in what amounted to a divisional Eclipse Award-clinching triumph.

But there are hurdles in getting any of the California-based trio here this year.

Bayern, as the Classic winner and apparent leader of the 3-year-old division, seems to have more to lose than to gain by running again this year. The connections of California Chrome have been quoted extensively as saying they already are focused on 2015, when the colt will have a carefully crafted campaign. And Jerry Hollendorfer, the trainer of Shared Belief, plays his cards close to the vest and might need Churchill’s incentives to make a difference.

Meanwhile, two other end-of-meet stakes with potential Eclipse implications might prove alluring to horses for a post-BC try, most notably Don’t Tell Sophia for the Grade 2 Falls City on Nov. 27 and Take Charge Brandi for the Grade 2 Golden Rod on Nov. 29.

Trainer Phil Sims said Wednesday he hasn’t made a decision on whether to point Don’t Tell Sophia to the Falls City. He acknowledged that Close Hatches is the Eclipse front-runner in the filly-and-mare division while saying that a Grade 2 victory to tack onto the r é sum é of Don’t Tell Sophia “wouldn’t hurt.” Don’t Tell Sophia finished ahead of Close Hatches in winning the Grade 1 Spinster and running second in the BC Distaff.

As for Take Charge Brandi, her Hall of Fame trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, is not averse to running a horse back at Churchill after the Breeders’ Cup if it means something toward the Eclipse Awards (such as Spain and Surfside in 2000 and Will Take Charge last year). Lukas said he will monitor the training of Take Charge Brandi, the 61-1 winner of the BC Juvenile Fillies, before making a decision on the Golden Rod.

Trainer Al Stall Jr. said BC Juvenile Fillies runner-up Top Decile definitely will not run in the Golden Rod.

Vicar’s in Trouble has surgery

Ramsey Farm has reported that Vicar’s in Trouble underwent surgery to repair an ankle fracture that the 3-year-old colt sustained when being eased last weekend in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Owner Ken Ramsey said the colt will have at least six months off. “Hopefully, we can have him back racing a few months after that,” he said.

Trained by Mike Maker, Vicar’s in Trouble won the Louisiana Derby and Super Derby and earned almost $1.2 million this year.

Meanwhile, Ken Ramsey was on hand Wednesday to accept a plaque and congratulations after Sandbar ($4) easily won the second race, giving the farm a Churchill-record 400th victory as an owner.

* Silver Max will be the starting 123-pound highweight and solid favorite Saturday in the weekend feature at Churchill, the $100,000 River City Handicap. A field of 11 has been entered for the 1 1/8-mile turf race.

Silver Max, an earner of more than $1.95 million, comes off a fifth-place finish behind Wise Dan in the Oct. 4 Shadwell Turf Mile.

* If the past performances for Calbo in the last race Friday seem a little confusing, here’s the explanation: The 9-year-old gelding was bought back privately by owner-trainer Rob O’Connor after being claimed from his last start June 29 by owner Robert Haines Jr. and trainer Greg Foley.

Kentucky rules pertaining to such transactions dictate that the sale occurs 30 days or more after a claim.

* If you happened to bet on a 3-year-old colt named Ostentatious Me in the last race Oct. 22 at Keeneland and weren’t satisfied with the ride, well, neither were the stewards. They levied a $2,500 fine on jockey Chris Landeros for misjudging the finish line in a mental lapse that cost the horse second.