Last term's GI Clark H. hero Effinex (Mineshaft) and 2014 winner Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday), who was second last year, meet once again in Friday's renewal of the prestigious Churchill Downs test. Tri-Bone Stables' Effinex, winner of the GII Suburban H. in July and most recently seventh in the
GI Breeders' Cup Classic, drew post two and will be piloted by Junior Alvarado. Hoppertunity bested Effinex by a half-length in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Oct. 8 prior to a fourth-place finish behind stablemate Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) in the Classic. The Bob Baffert trainee will break from the nine-hole in this 10-horse affair with Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard.
Also signed on for this year's Clark is John Oxley's Noble Bird (Birdstone), winner of the 2015 GI Stephen Foster H. and last month's Lukas Classic S., both at this track and trip. Victor of the GII Hagyard Fayette S. last time Oct. 29, the Mark Casse trainee exits stall six with regular rider Julien Leparoux in the irons.
Talented sophomore Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) takes on his elders yet Friday off a strong second in the GI Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last time Nov. 4. The three-time graded stakes winner, who was third in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Travers S., drew the rail with jockey Florent Geroux aboard.
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