Magnitude topples elders in Clark

The parallels between Magnitude and Gun Runner became more pronounced after the former's hard-fought win Friday in the $595,000 Clark (G2) at Churchill Downs.

In defeating Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show by a half-length, Magnitude became the first three-year-old winner of the Clark since Gun Runner turned the trick in 2016. Like Gun Runner before him, Magnitude sports the silks of Winchell Thoroughbreds, with Steve Asmussen as trainer.

There are some similarities with their sophomore campaigns as well. Each landed the Risen Star (G2) early in their respective years and won the Clark after second-place efforts in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Both also placed third in the Travers (G1) while losing by a significant margin to the eventual three-year-old champion.

Whether Magnitude will follow in Gun Runner's hoofsteps at four remains to be seen, but the standard is high as Gun Runner was voted Horse of the Year in 2017.

"We've always been excited about his level of talent," Asmussen said of Magnitude. "For him to put it all together here and turn the corner, it's a good sign for next year."

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the Clark field of eight, Magnitude rated in second behind Chunk of Gold, bravely overtook that determined rival in upper stretch, and lasted over the late bid of Hit Show. Chunk of Gold was a head behind in third. Next under the wire were Who Dey, 2024 Clark winner Rattle N Roll, Gosger, First Mission, and Cooke Creek.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Magnitude covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48.69 and paid $6.36.

The Clark was the third stakes win of the year for Magnitude. Exiting his 9 3/4-length romp in the Risen Star with an injury that knocked him out of Kentucky Derby (G1) contention, Magnitude returned in early July to claim the Iowa Derby by 9 1/4 lengths. No match for Sovereignty when beaten more than 20 lengths, Magnitude had a better showing when second to Baeza in the Pennsylvania Derby. His career mark now stands at 11-5-2-1, $1,291,865.

Magnitude is a son of Not This Time and Rockadelic, a daughter of Bernardini and multiple Grade 1 winner Octave. He was bred by Ron Stolich in Kentucky and sold for $450,000 at Keeneland September.