(Chunk of Gold / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

CHUNK OF GOLD POSSIBLE FOR $600,000 CLARK AFTER SHARP KEENELAND VICTORY

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025) – While the Churchill Downs Fall Meet only began Sunday, trainer Ethan West already has his eyes on closing weekend where Terry Stephens’ Chunk of Gold is a possible starter in the $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade II) on Friday, Nov. 28.

Chunk of Gold, who finished ninth in Kentucky Derby 151, earned a career-best 104 Brisnet Speed Rating in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race Friday at Keeneland.

“He ran a huge effort Friday,” West said. “He gives us his best every time he shows up on the track and I think Friday’s race was a great chance for him to prove it again.”

Following his Derby effort, Chunk of Gold won the West Virginia Derby (GIII) in his first start since West added blinkers.

“I think they’ve kept him more engaged early in the race,” West said. “He was able to make an easy lead in both the West Virginia Derby and Friday’s allowance but I don’t think he has to be on the lead to be successful.”

A son of Preservationist, Chunk of Gold has strung together a solid record of 9-3-5-0 while banking $834,811 in purse earnings.

The Clark is the centerpiece of Churchill Downs’ $5 million Fall Meet stakes calendar. Nominations for the race close Wednesday, Nov. 12.

CHURCHILL DOWNS CONTINGENT BOUND FOR BREEDERS’ CUP AT DEL MAR –Several horses based at Churchill Downs are bound for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday and Saturday at Del Mar. The local contingent is scheduled to fly to Southern California either Sunday or Monday to compete in racing’s year-end showcase.

Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan is one of the headliners in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (Grade I). With regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. sidelined, Francisco Arrieta will take over the mount for trainer Kenny McPeek.

“Francisco did a nice job on him in his last run (winning the Grade II, $500,000 Lukas Classic) and worked him Saturday,” McPeek said. “He knows the horse well and has done an excellent job on him the two starts he’s been aboard.”

McPeek will also send out Blackout Time, runner-up in the Breeders’ Futurity (GI), for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI).

“He didn’t run for a couple of months leading up to the Breeders’ Futurity and I think it’ll be exciting to watch if he can make up a couple of lengths on (winner) Ted Noffey,” McPeek said. “At this stage, he’s done a lot more than Mystik Dan had. If we handle him right and keep him healthy, I think he’ll be a big player in the summer classics.”

Among the top local female runners is Nitrogen, who is on track for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI).

“I was looking at some of her numbers and it’s amazing how much better she is on the dirt,” trainer Mark Casse said. “Her last Thoro-Graph number was as good as anybody’s. She’s thriving and ready to go.

“Without being too cocky, I think they have to beat her. Bob Baffert’s filly (Seismic Beauty) will have the home-field advantage but Nitrogen’s going to get the setup she likes.”

Another locally based filly pre-entered in the Distaff is Clicquot, winner of the Cotillion (GI) five weeks ago at Parx.

“She’s improved in each one of her races and I think she can improve again,” trainer Brendan Walshsaid. “She’s in good order and hopefully will arrive next week in great shape.”

Entries for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be taken Monday.

Friday and Saturday’s live programs at Churchill Downs will run concurrently with the Breeders’ Cup with full simulcast wagering available on the second floor of the Clubhouse and in select dining spaces. Guests attending Churchill Downs on Friday may advance wager on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card from Del Mar.

JOHN ASHER ‘HOMETOWN HERO’ BANNER UNVEILED MONDAY – Churchill Downs’ late Vice President of Communications John Asher, who died unexpectedly in 2018 at age 62, will be honored by the city of Louisville on Monday with a “Hometown Hero” banner that will be displayed in front ofPresentation Academy, a school he championed for decades.

Asher joined Churchill Downs in 1997 and quickly became one of the most beloved and irreplaceable figures in the track’s history. His deep passion for the Kentucky Derby and unwavering pride in the Louisville community made him synonymous with Churchill Downs itself. Before his tenure at the track, he was an award-winning radio journalist with NewsRadio 840 WHAS.

Louisville’s Hometown Heroes program began in 2002 with a mural installation of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Since then, several prominent Louisvillians have been honored, including jockey Pat Day, musician Jack Harlow, journalist Diane Sawyer and actress Jennifer Lawrence.

Monday’s ceremony will take place at Presentation Academy (861 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40203) and begin at 1 p.m. ET

DOWN THE STRETCH – Live racing at Churchill Downs resumed Sunday for Stars of Tomorrow I. First post was 1 p.m. … Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager with up to 40 betting interests, including the popular “All Others” option, will open Wednesday at noon and close Friday at 6 p.m. in advance of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Del Mar. The field for the three-day pool, which features $2 Win and Exacta wagering, will be released Monday. … Congratulations to Churchill Downs racing analyst Kaitlin Benson, formerly Kaitlin Free, who cashed the ultimate ticket earlier this week by marrying Joel Benson in her hometown of Chillicothe, Ohio. … Following dark days Monday and Tuesday, live racing will resume Wednesday-Sunday at Churchill Downs with daily first posts of 1 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The saddling paddock and the stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.