Giant Oak wins the Grade 1 Clark Handicap

In what turned out to be a rough and tumble running of the Grade 1 Clark handicap, one that saw two stewards inquiries, Successful Dan crossed the finish line first but was taken down and placed third following a long look at the video tape.

Regal Ransom set the early pace clicking up fraction of 24.64 and 48.92 but faded as the field came off the far turn.  Successful Dan, the post-time favorite, was keyed up early and under a hard hold by Julien Leparoux heading into the clubhouse turn.  When he came off the far turn into the top of the stretch, he banged hard off of Redding Colliery (the second time he collided with that colt), commenced a run towards the front and then traded paint with Giant Oak in deep stretch, triggering a post-race inquiry.

I'll have more on this race after having some time to re-watch the replay about hundred times because it seemed like every horse in the field had some kind of trouble.

Demarcation disqualified and placed last for interfering with Dubious Miss in mid-stretch.

Regardless of the stewards decision, Successful Dan is going to need to cut down on the punishment he dishes out to his fellow horses or he's going to end up on the wrong end of the DQ the majority of the time.