A mix of the old and the new highlights the Black Friday running of the Grade 2 Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare at Churchill Downs. A few promising 3-year-olds facing some seasoned veterans offers an intriguing betting puzzle in one of the year’s few remaining well-known races for the dirt male division.

1. Cooke Creek (12-1 morning-line odds): Former claimer does not have a sterling record in graded stakes. He was no better than sixth in his last three tries at that level, including last year’s Clark Stakes. Others are more appealing.

JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Mike Maker

2. First Mission (5-1): Will be part of the early pace and has enough talent to hang around until the end. Having Flavien Prat on board is a huge plus right now.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox

3. Hit Show (3-1): He won the Dubai World Cup earlier this year, so he has enough class to handle this field. But Churchill Downs may not be his favorite surface. He’s only won two of seven starts with no seconds or thirds there. We’ll take a stand against him in the win spot.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.;  TRAINER: Brad Cox       

4. Gosger (4-1): This 3-year-old is highly consistent but tends to hang in the final furlong, like he did when second in the Preakness Stakes and in the NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes. He adds blinkers here and that may help but he may not offer much value in the win pools.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

5. Chunk of Gold (10-1): Three-year-old exits an impressive allowance win at Keeneland but will be facing older rivals for the first time. This should be an acid test for the Grade 3 winner.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Ethan West

6. Rattle N Roll (7-2): He’s a streaky sort and he may be getting good again at an opportune time. He likes this track and won the 2024 Clark Stakes. Had to take up last time out and closed fast to finish second behind Hit Show in the Grade 3 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. Expect another big try here.

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JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

7. Who Dey (30-1): Consistent runner has won eight of 13 starts but lacks the speed figures to be considered a major player.

JOCKEY: Luan Machado; TRAINER: Tom Drury Jr.

8. Willy D’s (12-1): Was given a couple of months off after a dull try in September's Lukas Classic. Will need a career-best effort to be a major factor here.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Mike Maker

9. Magnitude (9-2): Another 3-year-old with a lot of potential. Was well-beaten in the Draft Kings Travers Stakes and then showed a new dimension when he rallied for second in the Pennsylvania Derby. If he can duplicate that Penn Derby performance, he’ll be a major player.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

THE PICK: Rattle N Roll

LIVE LONGSHOT: Chunk of Gold

SUPERFECTA: 6-4-2-9