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A fast early pace helped set up the closing kick of Clapton, who edged Trademark to win the $438,660 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs.
“Between his breeding and how he trains, it doesn’t look like he has any kind of distance limitations,” said Hughes. “You can kind of throw the Derby out.”
"He proved shipping wasn’t a concern and he’s familiar with the surroundings going on the road,” Cox said of Wood Memorial entrant Hit Show.
Arindel homebred Clapton pulled off a 21-1 upset victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Ghostzapper (G3) at Gulfstream Park under an aggressive ride by Emisael Jaramillo.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. boasts a stellar 3-0-2 record from seven graded stakes starts at Aqueduct, including wins by Mischevious Alex in the 2021 Carter Handicap (G1), Drain the Clock in the 2021 Bay Shore (G3), and Officiating in last year's Tom Fool Handicap (G3).