Meet the Contender: 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club
Further Ado broke his maiden by 20 lengths at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
November 26th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Spice Runner wins the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 Spice Runner **
Pro: Has a relatively deep foundation with two wins here, including the Iroquois (G3).
Con: Made little progress in Breeders’ Futurity (G1); needs to quicken.
TwinSpires
#2 Cherokee Nation ***
Pro: Nosed out by eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up when last seen.
Con: Still a maiden and barn last won this in 1999.
Dr. Kapur wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Dr. Kapur **
Pro: Led all the way to graduate second out at Keeneland over a next-out winner.
Con: Class hike, distance, and tendency to zip early are all causes for concern.
Soldier N Diplomat wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Soldier N Diplomat ****
Pro: Won for fun last out and 2-for-2 in races not including Ted Noffey.
Con: One of two with no prior two-turn experience.
Very Connected wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Very Connected **
Pro: Continues to improve each start and is not far behind stablemate in G3 last time.
Con: Probably needs a very strong pace, but that might not be enough.
Further Ado broke his maiden by 20 lengths at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
#6 Further Ado *****
Pro: Won by a figurative pole at Keeneland; the one to beat if he can replicate.
Con: Maiden win seemed to come out of nowhere; will be a much shorter price here.
Universe wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#7 Universe ***
Pro: Second best in Street Sense (G3) and might improve on that local debut.
Con: Overtaken after making lead in stretch; possible distance limitations?
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