Constitution, Hoppertunity add spice to Clark field

Hoppertunity captured the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and registered a

career-best 100 BRIS Speed rating when finishing second to subsequent Kentucky

Derby winner California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby. He trained forwardly

for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and was entered at the Wednesday draw

preceding the race, before being a late withdrawal.

"It's disappointing because I think he was very live," Baffert said at the

time. "He likes this track. He trained well over it."

The bay colt came back from a lengthy hiatus with a fast-closing second

versus elders in an October 29 allowance/optional claiming event at Santa Anita.

Baffert captured back-to-back runnings of the Clark with Isitingood and Silver

Charm in 1996-97, and finished a nose second with Game On Dude last year.

Martin Garcia will pick up the mount on Hoppertunity, who is listed as the

7-2 co-second choice with Constitution.

Multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire Departing is the slight 3-1 favorite on

the morning line. Trained by Al Stall Jr., the four-year-old gelding exits a

pair of runner-up finishes in the Fayette at Keeneland and Homecoming Classic at

Churchill Downs. Robby Albarado has the assignment.

A victory by Departing on Friday would be a record-breaking conquest for

legendary owner Claiborne Farm. The iconic Paris, Kentucky racing and breeding

operation shares the record for the most stakes victories (32) in the history of

Churchill Downs with Calumet Farm, another Bluegrass legend now operated by Brad

Kelley.

Fayette winner Pick of the Litter is one of two Clark contenders for trainer

Dale Romans, who will also send out multiple graded stakes hero Prayer for

Relief. The latter finished a close third in the Woodward at Saratoga before a

12th most recently in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Romans won the 2012 Clark with Shackleford.

Rounding out the field are Easter Gift, who finished third in the 2013 Clark

and defeated Constitution in the aforementioned allowance/optional claiming

event at Belmont Park; recent Discovery winner Protonico; last-out Churchill

allowance/optional claiming scorer Knights Nation; and Looking Cool, who steps

up after being haltered for a $40,000 claiming tag from his last outing.

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