When Magnitude romped by 9 ¾ lengths in the Feb. 15 Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, he looked like a horse poised for success at Churchill Downs.
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.
The Native Diver Stakes is named after one of the greatest California-breds of all time, a fan favorite whose blend of speed, stamina, and durability led to three straight wins in the Hollywood Gold Cup from 1965 to 1967.
The big mover in Equibase’s rankings of earnings for North America-based racehorses, trainers, and jockeys last week was Irad Ortiz Jr. The five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey delivered a dominant week, more than doubling any competitor’s win total, and pushed his 2025 earnings past $36.7 million.
