Proxy wins the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Downs. (Coady Photography)
"I'd love to get back to the Dubai World Cup, but going into 2023 there's a lot still on the table after a win like today," said Stidham.
There was much to like about Proxy's performance. Fresh in his first start since a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs in June, he broke running and jockey Joel Rosario placed him closer than usual, conscious of an apparent lack of pace.
He kept West Will Power honest through splits of :23.94, :48.51, and 1:12.76, perching his mount on that rival's flank, and down the stretch it was a two-horse battle, one Proxy eventually won.
The victorious 4-year-old son of Tapit raced 1 1/8 on a fast track in 1:48.89, running his final furlong in about :12. He paid $7.08 to win.
"This was his first start in a few months, so he was a little sharper leaving the gate," Rosario said. "He was a little bit further back in his last start here in the Stephen Foster than I expected him to be. I knew (West Will Power) was really the only horse that had early speed in the race, so I didn't want to let him get away easily. He was very professional today throughout.
"(West Will Power) didn't want to give in. He was very tough on the lead and I had to work pretty hard to get by him."
Rosario scored his second victory in the Clark, having first won aboard G M B Racing's Tom's d'Etat for trainer Al Stall Jr. in 2019.
Godolphin notched their second consecutive Clark victory after taking the 2021 race with the Brendan Walsh-trained Maxfield, another homebred for the global racing and breeding operation.
2022 Clark S. presented by Norton Healthcare November 25th, 2022
