Tipsheet: The 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club Picks

A total of seven two-year-old colts will travel 1 1/16 miles on the main surface at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.  

Kentucky Jockey Club Top Picks

• #4 Soldier N Diplomat
• #6 Further Ado
• #2 Cherokee Nation

Kentucky Jockey Club Wagers

• $20 win #4 Soldier N Diplomat
• $5 exacta key box 4 with 2,6
• $1 trifecta 4,6 with 2,4,6 with all

Kentucky Jockey Club Contender Analysis

#1 SPICE RUNNER (12-1): First of two from the Asmussen shedrow captured the Iroquois S. (G3) on the oval two back prior to finishing unplaced in the Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1) at Keeneland most recently. Winchell homebred likes the course and is surely talented, but he will likely have to get faster to upset this strong group. Joel Rosario will take the reins. 

#2 CHEROKEE NATION (3-1): Baffert pupil just missed in his second career outing and was flattered when the horse that defeated him ran a huge second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his subsequent effort. The $1.15 million yearling purchase has trained steadily in advance of his local bow and picks up Flavien Prat. The Not This Time colt will be dangerous with a forward move on Saturday. 

#3 DR. KAPUR (8-1): McKinzie colt was never headed in a recent special weight score at Keeneland and could be the pacesetter in the race. The Saffie Joseph trainee will run long for the first time and faces a big class hike, so he will have to take the next step to be in the mix late on this occasion under Jose Ortiz. 

#4 SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT (4-1): Top pick was very impressive in posting a facile allowance win on the surface in his latest endeavor for Asmussen. The $950,000 son of Army Mule has a nice foundation under him as well as an affinity for the local oval, too. Tyler Gaffalione retains the ride, and the colt will track the pace from the second flight early before putting in his best run approaching the turn for home. 

#5 VERY CONNECTED (15-1): McPeek trainee has improved his Brisnet Speed rating in each career run to date and was last seen coming home third in the Street Sense S. (G3) at this venue. The Connect colt faces a tougher assignment on this day, and he would be something of a surprise to me beneath Emmanuel Esquivel. 

#6 FURTHER ADO (7-5): Spendthrift color bearer erupted with a superb, 20-length maiden victory at Keeneland last time in his route debut. The well-bred son of Gun Runner has worked forwardly in the interim, and he is a must-use coming off of such a powerful performance in his latest venture. Irad will take the reins once again. 

#7 UNIVERSE (9-2): Progressive son of Global Campaign has run well in each of his trio of runs to date. Third in the Champagne S. (G1) and runner-up in the Street Sense S. (G3) in his last two engagements, the second from the McPeek barn will not need vast improvement to be a contender in the latter stages of the tilt. Brian Hernandez, Jr., will be in the saddle.