Accomplished Kentucky-breds Rattle N Roll, Hit Show, and First Mission headline the 151st running of the $600,000 Clark S. (G2), the marquee race of the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, on Friday, Nov. 28.

Lucky Seven Stable and Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri’s Rattle N Roll is set to defend his title against eight rivals. Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Clark carries a storied history. Past winners include champions Gun Runner, Will Take Charge, Wise Dan, Blame, and Saint Liam.

Some of the top horses joining Rattle N Roll in the starting gate for the Clark include Dubai World Cup (GI) winner Hit Show (pictured) and multiple graded stakes winner First Mission. Graded stakes-winning 3-year-olds Chunk of Gold, Gosger, and Magnitude could also make their presence felt.

Trained by Kenny McPeek, Rattle N Roll scored a gutsy three-quarters of a length victory in last year’s Clark over Most Wanted. Following that race, the son of Connect competed in Saudi Arabia and Dubai where he won the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) and then finished fifth in the Saudi Cup (GI). He was eighth in the Dubai World Cup (G1).

First Mission and Hit Show Leading Contenders in Clark Stakes

Brad Cox stablemates First Mission (post 2, jockey Flavien Prat) and Hit Show (post 3, Irad Ortiz Jr.) were entered in the Clark.

Owned and bred by Godolphin, First Mission has been well traveled throughout his 15-race career with notable victories in the 2024 Alysheba (GII) and 2025 Oaklawn Handicap (GII). A son of Street Sense, First Mission finished second by a nose in the 2023 Clark to Trademark.

Wathnan Racing’s Hit Show boasts an impressive resumé headlined by his upset victory in the Dubai World Cup earlier this year. The 5-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG) has won 11 of 22 starts while banking more than $8.7 million in purses.

Sophomores Seek Clark Glory

While the Clark field includes several accomplished older horses, a trio of Kentucky-bred 3-year-olds is entered led by Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables’ Gosger. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Gosger scored a two-length victory in the Lexington Stakes (G2) before runner-up finishes in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell (G1). He was the 8-5 favorite in last month’s Fayette at Keeneland but finished third by 1 ¼ lengths to Hit Show and Rattle N Roll. Jockey Luis Saez will ride from post 4.

Another talented 3-year-old in the field is Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Risen Star (G2) winner Magnitude. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Magnitude has been pointed to the Clark since finishing second to Baeza in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). The son of Not This Time will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 9.

Terry Stephens’ Chunk of Gold earned his way into Kentucky Derby 151 in part with his runner-up finish to Magnitude in the Risen Star. He followed that effort with a second-place effort in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and a ninth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Trained by Ethan West, Chunk of Gold’s resumé is highlighted by his dominant 4 ¼-length score in the West Virginia Derby (G3) on Aug. 3 at Mountaineer. Jockey Junior Alvarado will ride for the first time and break from post 5.