The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Sept. 13 [VIDEO]
Turf racing at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
September 11th, 2025
The TwinSpires Jury of Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali defend their best bets for Churchill Downs' opening weekend and the kickoff to the Road to the 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1), along with a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In event at Woodbine.
The first chance to earn points toward the 2026 Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, when 10 two-year-olds compete in the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. The winner will receive 10 points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, while second through fifth will receive points on a 5-3-2-1 sliding scale.
The stakes action will begin in Race 6 on Saturday's 11-race program with the one-mile Pocahontas (G3), a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep for juvenile fillies. The 1 1/16-mile Locust Grove (G2), 6 1/2-furlong Open Mind S., and six-furlong Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. are the other featured stakes on the card.
While the Road to the Derby commences in Kentucky, Woodbine will host three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races. Part of Turf Champions Day on Saturday, the Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1) will award the winner a berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), while the Summer S. (G1) and Natalma S. (G1) will grant a bid to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), respectively.
TwinSpires will host three tournaments on Saturday as well, including the $500 Woodbine Mile/Churchill Downs KDBC Qualifier, plus you can opt in to the Churchill Downs $10 Money Back promo to get up to $10 back on your first win bet if your horse finishes second or third in Races 1 and 10 at Churchill on Saturday.
