Churchill Downs is set to host an exciting Stars of Tomorrow II program next Saturday, November 29, featuring a series of stakes races for two-year-olds. The highlight of the day is the 99th running of the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) for colts and geldings, and the 82nd running of the $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes (GII) for fillies. Both races are key events on the “Prep Season” for the respective Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, offering valuable qualifying points. The program also includes the $225,000 Ed Brown Stakes and the $225,000 Fern Creek Stakes, rounding out a day of promising young talent.
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes: Further Ado Leads Strong Field
Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado is the horse to watch in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Trained by Brad Cox, this chestnut colt by Gun Runner made a significant impression with a dominant 20-length maiden special weight victory at Keeneland last month, his first start going two turns. This impressive performance has even seen him become a notable contender in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. He is set to test stakes company under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. from post position six.
Trainer Kenny McPeek has a strong presence in the race with two contenders: Universe and Very Connected. Universe, a Grade III Street Sense Stakes runner-up, will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. from post seven. Very Connected, who finished behind his stablemate in the Street Sense, will have Manny Esquivel aboard from post five. McPeek has a successful history in the Kentucky Jockey Club, having won the race three times previously.
Another formidable entry is St. Elias Stable’s Soldier N Diplomat, trained by Steve Asmussen. This colt is coming off a dominant nine-length allowance victory and previously broke his maiden at Saratoga. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard from post position four. Asmussen also saddles Spice Runner, winner of the Iroquois Stakes (GIII), who aims to bounce back after a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Futurity (GI). Joel Rosario is set to ride from post one. Asmussen himself is a three-time winner of this prestigious race.
The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale towards the Kentucky Derby.
Golden Rod Stakes: Explora Invades from Southern California
The filly division takes center stage in the Golden Rod Stakes, featuring Southern California invader Explora. Trained by Bob Baffert, this talented two-year-old filly is fresh off a runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI). Prior to that, she secured a commanding 4 ¼-length victory in the Oak Leaf Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita. Jockey Flavien Prat will guide Explora from the widest post, number 12.
Trainer Brad Cox, who won this race last year with Good Cheer, has the undefeated Life of Joy entered. This filly is two-for-two, including a win in the Rags to Riches Stakes. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be her jockey, breaking from post six.
Other notable contenders in the Golden Rod include The Grumpy Rabbit, runner-up in the Rags to Riches Stakes, and Atropa, a dominant 10-length maiden special weight winner. Godolphin’s Bella Ballerina and Heider Family Stables’ recent allowance winner Baracca also add depth to the field. The Golden Rod also awards qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale for the Kentucky Oaks.
Ed Brown and Fern Creek Stakes Round Out the Card
The sprinting division for two-year-olds is showcased in the Ed Brown Stakes, where LNJ Foxwoods’ impressive Bowman Mill Stakes winner Gallivant is set to compete. Trained by Ben Colebrook, Gallivant broke his maiden in the Bowman Mill by six lengths. Luan Machado will be back in the irons, breaking from the rail.
Among his rivals is Zedan Racing Stable’s Boyd, a $1,050,000 purchase who debuted with a decisive 5 ¾-length victory at Del Mar. Bob Baffert trains Boyd, and Flavien Prat will ride from post six. Shadwell Stable’s Ganaas, a stakes winner on dirt, and Kaleem Shah’s Stradale, a multiple stakes-placed runner, are also expected to contend.
In the Fern Creek Stakes for juvenile fillies, Double 22 Stables’ undefeated A Fine Chardonnay leads the field. Trained by Ian Wilkes, she is two-for-two, including a stakes win in the Myrtlewood Stakes at Keeneland. Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard from post six.
Key rivals include the second and third-place finishers from the Myrtlewood Stakes: Brad Cox’s On Time Girl and Mike Maker’s Woodstock. On Time Girl, the favorite in the Myrtlewood, will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. from post seven, while Woodstock, a decisive winner of the E.L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes, will have Gabe Saez in the saddle from post three.
Additional Information and Wagering Opportunities
A $350,000 Breeders’ Bonus will be available for registered Kentucky-bred horses competing on the Stars of Tomorrow II program, encouraging breeders to support promising young equine athletes. Furthermore, the Derby City 6 Jackpot carries over a substantial $174,134 for Saturday’s card, offering horseplayers a significant wagering opportunity. The main track is expected to be muddy, while the turf is firm.
Fans can watch and wager on all the races at Churchill Downs through www.twinspires.com, the official wagering platform.
