Kentucky Jockey Club Study Guide

Nov 22, 2018 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An overflow field of 16, two of which are on the also-eligible list, will contest Saturday’s $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/16-miles test drew a classy cast including the horses that finished second and third in the recent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Knicks Go and Signalman.

The Jockey Club is also a prep race on the 2019 “Road to the Kentucky Derby”, giving the top-four finishers points on a 10-4-2-1 basis. 

Tracksmith Career Racing Stats

4 Starts:1 Wins, 2 Place, 1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $336,150

Owner: Tommie Lewis et al's

Breeder: Monticule

Trainer: Ken McPeek

Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Sire: General Quarters

Dam: Trip South

Color: Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) earned in Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) (G3)

Twice Grade-1 placed colt overcame a horrific post to be a closing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) most recently. Kentucky-bred continues to improve and comes in with a bullet morning drill last time. March foal gets a fine draw on the rail today, too 

Tracksmith Career Racing Stats

3 Starts:1 Wins,1 Place, 0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $101,025

Owner: Calumet Farm

Breeder: Cobalt Investments and Godolphin

Trainer: Joe Sharp

Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Sire: Street Sense

Dam: Hot Water

Color: Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (84) earned in the Bourbon Stakes (G3)

$130,000 juvenile purchase has flashed ability from three career races on the turf and tries the main oval for the initial time in this spot. Capable prospect ran an even one when beaten 2 ¾-lengths with graded foes last time out. Colt has always trained well locally at his home base and will be of good value. 

Manny Wah Career Racing Stats

6 Starts: 2 Wins 1 Place,1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $84,225

Owner: Susan Moulton

Breeder: Martha J. Mulholland and Modo Tesio Equine, LLC

Trainer: Wayne Catalano

Jockey: Channing Hill

Sire: Will Take Charge

Dam: Battlefield Angel

Color: Chestnut

Top BRIS Speed rating (91) earned in allowance win at Keeneland

February foal tired to fourth in the Street Sense at Churchill last time after dueling through rapid splits early on. Colt gets blinkers today and the $175,000 yearling might be the pace setter in the field with a clean break.  

Dunph Career Racing Stats

2 Starts: 2 Wins, 0 Place, 0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $105,540

Owner: Joseph Besecker and Three Diamonds Farm

Breeder: Equus Farm

Trainer: Mike Maker

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Sire: Temple City

Dam: Skymynx

Color: Dark Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) earned in the Spendthrift Juvenile Stakes

Speedy gelding has romped home the easiest of winners in both lifetime races to date and gets a class test in the Jockey Club. Youngster looked the part in a local debut in advance of this run with a stylish win and he shows a pair of sharp drills in the interim. Kentucky-bred could be any kind. 

Plus Que Parfait Career Racing Stats

3 Starts 1 Wins, 0 Place, 2 Show

Total Career Earnings: $50,000

Owner: Imperial Racing, LLC

Breeder: Calloway Stables, LLC

Trainer: Brendan Walsh

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Sire: Point of Entry

Dam: Belvedera

Color: Chestnut

Top BRIS Speed rating (88) earned in maiden win at Keeneland

Recent maiden graduate takes a class hike exiting a game victory going two turns. Ridgling was third on this course two prior but will need big improvement to take this strong cast down. 

Blue Steel Career Racing Stats

2 Starts: 1 Wins, 0 Place, 0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $45,877

Owner: Spendthrift Farm, LLC

Breeder: Machmer Hall

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Robby Albarado

Sire: Will Take Charge

Dam: Co Cola

Color: Chestnut

Top BRIS Speed rating (89) earned in maiden win

Lightly raced sort was especially sharp in a five-length maiden romp at Churchill Downs. $270,000 colt is bred for the trip and could improve in making a route debut today. January foal will be forwardly placed again after leading at every call most recently. 

Limonite Career Racing Stats

3 Starts: 1 Wins, 1 Place,1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $66,100

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton

Breeder: Roberto Mesquita

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr.

Sire: Lemon Drop Kid

Dam: Colina Verde

Color: Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (87) earned in maiden victory

Interesting prospect makes his stakes debut in a second route attempt. Colt was a neck second in a local bow last time from the widest post and comes in with a better draw for this run. Kentucky-bred belongs on the long list of contenders in the field. 

Royal Urn Career Racing Stats

3 Starts: 2 Wins, 0 Place, 0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $52,500

Owner: Roseland Farm Stable

Breeder: John Bowers, Jr.

Trainer: Michelle Nihei

Jockey: Leo Reyes

Sire: Kantharos

Dam: Born to Royalty

Color: Chestnut

Top BRIS Speed rating (85) earned in maiden debut victory

New Jersey-bred colt was a game winner on the turf last time but showed little in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) on the Churchill main oval two back. Likely long shot will need vast improvement in a second local try to impact this deep field. 

Current Career Racing Stats

4 Starts: 2 Wins, 0 Place, 1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $211,450

Owner: Robert LaPenta and Eclipse Thoroughbreds

Breeder: Hinkle Farms

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Curlin

Dam: Crosswinds

Color: Chestnut

Top BRIS Speed rating (87) earned in the Bourbon Stakes (G3)

Proven turf performer was seventh with a tough trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) earlier in the month. Well-bred sort tries dirt for the first time and figures to get a robust pace to rally into today. March foal will be running on late as a contender. 

Roiland Career Racing Stats

3 Starts: 2 Wins, , 1 Place, 0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $72,200

Owner: James and Mary Durlacher

Breeder: James and Mary Durlacher

Trainer: Tom Amoss

Jockey: Edgar Morales

Sire: Successful Appeal

Dam: Anabranch

Color: Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (86) earned in allowance tally

Consistent sort is a neck shy of being unbeaten from a trio of outings. Kentucky-bred passed his route test last out but will need further improvement against a deep and talented field. Improving colt will be making one run from off the pace today. 

Mick’s Star Career Racing Stats

3 Starts

2 Wins

0 Place

0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $45,600

Owner: Hoffman Family Racing, LLC

Breeder: Stanley Inman

Trainer: Tom Amoss

Jockey: Corey Lanerie

Sire: Point of Entry

Dam: Hug it Out

Color: Dark Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (90) earned in allowance win

April foal blitzed a pair of cheaper sprint fields at Indiana prior to finishing an encouraging fifth in the grassy Bourbon Stakes (G3). $90,000 juvenile purchase runs long on the dirt for the initial time and will be adding to the abundance of pace in the cast. 

King for a Day Career Racing Stats

2 Starts: 1 Wins, 0 Place, 1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $51,450

Owner: Red Oak Stable

Breeder: Red Oak Stable

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Uncle Mo

Dam: Ubetwereven

Color: Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) earned in maiden win

Fine prospect set swift and pressured splits before going clear at Belmont in preparation of this stakes debut. Kentucky-bred has a pair of stakes-winning siblings and looks like a nice one going forward. Colt faces a big class hike, but we might be up to the task for top connections. 

Knicks Go Career Racing Stats

5 Starts: 2 Wins, 1 Place, 1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $670,515

Owner: KRA Stud Farm

Breeder: Angie Moore

Trainer: Ben Colebrook

Jockey: Albin Jimenez

Sire: Paynter

Dam: Kosmo’s Buddy

Color: Gray/Roan

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) earned in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)

January foal has shown marked improvement with the combination of Lasix and route racing. Grade-1 winner was all heart in a runner-up showing on this course last time and is the likely one to beat. Maryland-bred will need a sharp break drawing near the outside.

Topper T Career Racing Stats

6 Starts: 2 Wins, 2 Place, 1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $132,650

Owner: Wachtel Stables

Breeder: Blackoak Farm

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Sire: Bellamy Road

Dam: Des Moines

Color: Dark Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (88) earned in Iowa Cradle Stakes

Iowa-bred draws the impossible widest post after being beaten by 19 lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Colt is not proven with the kind or at the distance, but he is eligible to improve second time with Mott. 

EVERFAST

Everfast Career Racing Stats

4 Starts: 1 Wins, 0 Place, 1 Show

Total Career Earnings: $38,485

Owner: Calumet Farm

Breeder: Extern Developments

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Robby Albarado

Sire: Take Charge Indy

Dam: Awesome Surprise

Color: Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (85) earned in Iroquois Stakes (G3)

Kentucky-bred finished a nice third in an allowance race against a few in the field last time out. February foal was a non-factor in a pair of previous graded attempts and he would be a surprise if he draws into the field. 

Kentucky Allstar Career Racing Stats

2 Starts: 1 Wins, 1 Place, 0 Show

Total Career Earnings: $24,800

Owner: Calumet Farm

Breeder: Calumet Farm

Trainer: Mike Maker

Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr. 

Sire: Oxbow

Dam: In Dy Ritz

Color: Dark Bay

Top BRIS Speed rating (70) earned in maiden score

Twice-raced colt will need a pair of defections to draw into the field. Kentucky-bred rallied well to break through at Indiana Grand last time but would need a huge leap forward to challenge this field. 

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