The point of that bench racing comparison with multiple strokes was to demonstrate that RPM *isn't* "king of horsepower".
Incrementally reducing stroke will require you to run more RPM (and usually more cam duration) to achieve the same horsepower but it sure-as-**** won't make *more* horsepower.
As a general rule, whenever you are working on an engine platform with multiple different displacement offerings available, and top end and valvetrain components are interchangeable between.
The best practice for making horsepower is to start with the biggest displacement you can. And build from there according to the required application.
There may be the occasional exception to the rule, but it's extremely rare to increase potential horsepower by reducing displacement.