The handicap division for older horses will offer one of its last 2024 opportunities for taking down a hefty purse when the Grade 2 Clark Stakes Presented by Norton Healthcare is contested Friday at Churchill Downs. The Grade 2 stakes, which serves as nice option for horses who skipped the Breeders’ Cup, drew a field of 10 for what should be a competitive and intriguing betting race.

1. Bolzy (12-1 morning-line odds): Turned in a career-best effort when second in the Grade 2 Hagyard Fayette Stakes. This will be his third start off the layoff, he adds blinkers and has the rail in a two-turn test. There are some things to like about him at a double-digit price.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Donnie Von Hemel

2. Grand Aspen (20-1): Finished last in the Fayette in his first start since January while racing for a new barn. Improvement is expected, but how much?

JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Jonathan Thomas

3. Crupi (4-1): Belongs in the exotics with a late-running style that generally brings home a check. Was third in the Grade 2 Woodward Stakes and second in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes and figures to be a factor in the final furlong.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.;  TRAINER: Todd Pletcher                                           

4. Piroli (20-1): Has not been competitive in a graded stakes since May 2023 in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Won his last start but faces tougher company here.

JOCKEY: Edgar Morales; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy

5. Most Wanted (7-2): Three-year-old faces older horses in a stakes for the first time. Has won four in a row, capped by the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby in fast time, and will get tested for class here. He’s dangerous on his best try.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox

6. Hit Show (3-1): He’s won three straight graded stakes: Fayette, Lukas Classic and West Virginia Governor’s Stakes. Won the Lukas Classic here in late September and shapes up as a major player in this field.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brad Cox

7. Rattle N Roll (5-1): Interesting past performances as his last two races were the Lukas Classic, in 2023 and 2024. Was third off a year’s layoff and figures to move forward off that performance. In eight starts at Churchill Downs, he’s 3-1-3 and looks he’s primed for a big effort.

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

8. Red Route One (8-1): Stone-cold closer could use a rapid pace and there is not an abundance of speed here. Has not raced since July and will most likely need a start to fire his best shot.

JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

9. Cooke Creek (6-1): Set the pace in the Lukas Classic and settled for a runner-up finish, losing by a neck. Most likely will break quickly from an outside post and may not get much early pressure here, increasing the chances he may not look back until he crosses the wire.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Mike Maker

10. Uno Mas Bourbon (20-1): Rallied for third in the Fayette as a 3-year-old, finishing nearly five lengths behind Hit Show. Will benefit from that experience but seems a notch below these, especially from the outside post.

JOCKEY: Francisco Arrieta; TRAINER: Ian Wilkes

THE PICK: Cooke Creek

LIVE LONGSHOT: Bolzy

SUPERFECTA: 9-6-7-3