Magnitude Shines at Churchill Downs, Turning Back Hit Show in the Clark Stakes
- Turf Diario
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
The son of Not This Time became the first 3-year-old to win the race since Gun Runner accomplished the feat in 2016
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- Magnitude’s path has not been a straight one, but under the Twin Spires he finally found the reward that had eluded him since winter. After his explosive 9 3/4-length demolition job in the GII Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds—a performance that stamped him as one of the leading early contenders for the GI Kentucky Derby—his rise was abruptly halted when an ankle chip was discovered, requiring arthroscopic surgery and removing him from the Triple Crown trail. Months later, fully healed and back in top form, the son of Not This Time returned to center stage with a brave, sustained and mature performance to take the GII Clark S., one of the most traditional closing-season features in American racing.
Ridden by José Ortiz and trained by Steve Asmussen, the Winchell Thoroughbreds colt sat just behind the honest pace set by Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), who carved out fractions of :23.21, :47.07 and 1:10.79. On the far turn, Magnitude ranged up to the frontrunner, and though he never put him away decisively, he did assert command before straightening for home. That was when Hit Show (Candy Ride), the reigning Dubai World Cup (G1) winner, launched his late bid, cutting into the margin and adding plenty of suspense inside the final furlong. Magnitude, however, dug in with determination to prevail by a half-length in 1:48.69 for nine furlongs over a fast track. The favorite returned $6.36and became the first 3-year-old to win the Clark since Gun Runner (Candy Ride) did so in 2016—also for Winchell and Asmussen.
Ortiz praised the colt’s demeanor, saying, “He was comfortable the whole way and really courageous late,” while Asmussen called it “the best performance of his career,” even better than the Risen Star. The Hall of Famer noted that the Fair Grounds win came over a track that offered him a favorable bias, whereas in the Clark “he beat a strong group on the square.” Winchell racing manager David Fiske echoed that sentiment: “This is the effort we’d been waiting to see since February,” he said, after a comeback campaign that included a victory in the Iowa Derby, a third behind Sovereignty in the GI Travers, and a runner-up finish to Baeza in the GI Pennsylvania Derby.
No immediate decision has been made regarding Magnitude’s next target, though his profile naturally opens the door to races such as the GI Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 24, the GI Saudi Cup on Feb. 14, or even the GI Dubai World Cupon Mar. 28—although the mile and a quarter remains a question after his Travers fade. For now, the colt will head to Fair Grounds, where Asmussen typically houses his top stock during the winter. The GII New Orleans Classic on Mar. 21 looms as a logical spot.
With the Clark, Magnitude pushed his earnings to $1,291,865, compiling a record of 5-2-1 from 11 starts. Bred in Kentucky by Ron Stolich, he is out of the Bernardini mare Rockadelic and was a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling. As he moves toward his 4-year-old season, he is beginning to look very much like a major player in the older-horse division.
