Be sure to check out Twinspires.com to bet this race along with all of the other great races on Thanksgiving weekend.

The 2010 Clark Handicap from Churchill Downs resulted in a controversial disqualification of Charles Lopresti’s Successful Dan that gave Giant Oak his first Grade I victory. Successful Dan hasn’t competed since then, but his half brother, Wise Dan, will try to avenge him in the 2011 Clark Handicap on Friday.

Wise Dan looked lackluster in his first three starts of the year, but he broke through with a strong win going one mile on the turf in the Firecracker Handicap. After that he turned in a solid win over a strong field in the Presque Isle Mile and ran well in defeat in the Shadwell Mile. His last start, the Fayette, saw him blast past the competition to score first victory in a rout.

Now, the son of Wiseman’s Ferry will attempt to secure his first Grade I victory while toting 120 lbs.

Standing in his path is Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Flat Out. He was last seen finishing a disappointing fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  “No excuse, he just got outrun. That’s it.”, said trainer Charles Dickey after that race.

Now, he will try to get a win over a track that has eluded him so far. He is winless in two tries after the aforementioned loss and a sixth place showing in the Stephen Foster Handicap in June. His burden will be 123 lbs.

Mission Impazible is an interesting option for bettors. He finished second beaten just a neck in the Stephen Foster over this track earlier this year. The Todd Pletcher trainee has run three subpar races since then, but returning to a preferable surface will help boost his chances. Also boosting his chances are the fact that he will get a 6 pound advantage on the favorite. His running style, near the pace, is yet another advantage.

Ruler On Ice will not go without support. The Belmont Stakes winner has put together two strong races in the Pennsylvania Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing second and third, respectively. Garrett Gomez seems to have a good feel for him. If he gets pace to fire upon from the rail he could be deadly. He’s listed at 118 lbs.

Prayer For Relief, owned by Zayat Stables, has quietly had a great 2011 campaign. He started to pick up steam with a victory in the Iowa Derby and parlayed it to wins in the West Virginia and Super Derby. Last time, he was out finished in the Oklahoma Derby behind Redeemed, a next out winner of the Discovery Handicap, and Alternation. Breaking from the far outside could hinder him, but jockey Rafael Bejarano should work out some sort of trip for him. He’s in light at 117 lbs.

While Ruler On Ice and Prayer For Relief will get plenty of action, the third three-year-old in the race is likely to be overlooked. That sophomore, Will’s Wildcat, is undefeated at Churchill Downs. Throw in the fact that the master, Calvin Borel, will be on his back and suddenly he becomes an interesting price horse. He dismissed a very strong group of allowance horses on Breeders Cup Friday, but that was going six furlongs. Can the front running son of Eurosilver stretch out? He will carry 112 lbs in his bid to do so.

Trainer Mike Maker brings two horses to the race. 2010 Bluegrass Stakes winner Stately Victor and 2011 Hawthorne Gold Cup champ Headache. The latter owns a strong record over the course and will try to get back on track after a last place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He will carry 115 lbs. Stately Victor finished a better than expected fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and was third in the Pacific Classic in August. The colt has never won on dirt and his last win came at Woodbine on September 25, 2010.

Alma d’Oro, Demarcation, Pleasant Prince, Mister Mardi Gras and General Quarters round out of the field.

My top pick to win the 2011 Clark Handicap is Mission Impazible. He loves it at Churchill Downs and the pace is going to set up well for him. He will get the front before either of the favorites and kick strongly for home at 12-1. Who do YOU like?

Be sure to check out Twinspires.com to bet this race along with all of the other great races on Thanksgiving weekend.