The journey to the Kentucky Derby continues this Saturday with the $400,000 Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. The top five finishers will earn qualifying points for the Derby, distributed as 10-5-3-2-1. Seven promising colts, considered some of the top contenders for the 2025 season, will compete in this key event, which has historically been an important Derby prep race, producing three Derby winners since 1976, including Super Saber, the only horse to win this race and then the Derby.
The field includes a mix of homebreds and million-dollar yearling purchases, promising an exciting and competitive race. Highlights include Winchell Thoroughbred homebred Spice Runner, making his first appearance with jockey Joel Rosario and trainer Steve Asmussen; Cherokee Nation, a $1.15 million yearling acquired by Bob Baffert, ridden by Flavien Prat who is in excellent form; and Dr. Kapur, trained by Safie Joseph Jr. and ridden by Jose Ortiz, stepping onto dirt for the first time in his second career start. Soldiers and Diplomats return under Asmussen after a dominant nine-length victory at Churchill.
Very Connected impressed by winning a maiden race on a tough track and earned Derby points with a third-place finish in the G3 Street Sense Stakes, with jockey Airad Ortiz aboard for his stakes debut under trainer Brad Cox. Even More Commotion made a huge statement by winning his maiden race by 20 lengths and will be accompanied by jockey Airad Ortiz, while Universe, trained by Kenny McPeek, comes with consistent graded stakes finishes and an outside post position.
Cherokee Nation, despite not yet winning a race, has shown immense potential, highlighted by his runner-up finish in a mile dirt race at Santa Anita, earning a career-best 114 Equibase Speed Figure (ESF). With Flavien Prat’s hot streak significantly boosting his chances, this duo is a strong contender on Derby Trail points. Meanwhile, Even More Commotion stunned the field with a 20-length maiden win at Keeneland, boasting a career-best 114 ESF and showing strong late pace figures, though replicating such a performance will be a challenge.
Soldiers and Diplomats, purchased for $950,000, look to build on a nine-length recent win at Churchill, proving his ability over a mile on dirt with rider Tyler Gaffalione. The colt has consistently shown talent and is well suited for Churchill’s dirt surface.
Other contenders boast competitive ESF scores around 88 to 92, including Spice Runner, Dr. Kapur, Very Connected, and Universe. The top candidates to watch are Cherokee Nation, Even More Commotion, and Soldiers and Diplomats.
The Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes will take place Saturday, November 29th at Churchill Downs—Race 10 with a post time of 5:25 pm ET. It’s a 1 1/16-mile race for two-year-olds and awards Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Fan Take: For horse racing fans, this race is a thrilling glimpse of future Kentucky Derby stars, blending raw talent and strategic training. The performances here could shape the upcoming Derby conversations, highlighting new rivalries and rising superstars in the sport.
