How to bet with, and against, Maxfield in the Clark Stakes Nov. 26

Friday's feature at Churchill Downs, the lucrative $750,000 Clark S. (G1), has attracted a top field of eight. Godolphin’s superb homebred #8 Maxfield will make the final start of his career in the Clark, and the standout son of Street Sense is the one to beat in the strong cast.

Patiently handled throughout his career by Brendan Walsh, the four-year-old colt has done some of his best work beneath the Twin Spires, where he has been sterling from four lifetime performances over the famed oval.

Maxfield has never finished out of the top three in his lifetime and comes in with runner-up finishes in the Woodward S. (G1) and Whitney S. (G1) most recently. The future stallion has the right running style to match the outside post slot with his tactical foot, and he figures to receive a sensible trip from the break in the nine-furlong tussle. Jose Ortiz will be in the silks once again.

Todd Pletcher will saddle two in the field, including Grade 1 victor #4 Happy Saver. The chestnut son of Super Saver began his career with four consecutive victories, prior to running third in the Suburban S. (G2) and second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) in recent times. The Kentucky-bred colt cuts back in distance following a pair of tries at 1 ¼ miles, and I expect a huge performance from him while tracking the tempo on Friday with Tyler Gaffalione picking up the mount.

Multiple Grade 3 victor #3 Dr Post ran arguably the best race of his career when a clear third in the Woodward S. (G1) at Saratoga last time out. Also trained by Pletcher, the Quality Road four-year-old has shown slight improvement since adding blinkers three back, and Irad Ortiz opts to stay atop the colt when he had other options in the event. The Kentucky-bred will rally from off the early pace.

#1 Midnight Bourbon will gun to the front soon after the start in his first race with elders for Steve Asmussen. The high-quality son of Tiznow has registered Grade 1 placings in three of his last four assignments, and he has trained in swift fashion in advance of Friday. The hard-trying sophomore is due to break through at this level at some point. Joel Rosario inherits the ride.

Maxfield - With

• $10 trifecta key 8 with 1, 3, 4 ($60)

Maxfield - Against

• $30 win #4 Happy Saver ($30)
• $1 trifecta key 4 with 1, 3, 8 with all ($18)
• $1 superfecta 4 with 8 with 1, 3 with all ($10)

---