The Kentucky Jockey Membership Stakes serves a twin function for 2-year-olds. It should reward the highest 5 finishers with 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying factors towards a begin within the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve. Past that, Saturday’s Grade 2 stakes at Churchill Downs will give the juvenile an vital race over the monitor the place the opening leg of the Triple Crown is contested on the primary Saturday in Might. Bettors also needs to take of what occurs within the 1 1/16-mile stakes as future betting on the Kentucky Derby will probably be accessible this weekend.
1. He’s Not Joking (8-1 morning-line odds): Arrives from Woodbine in Canada, the place he was a Grade 3 winner. However all 4 of his begins have been on all-weather surfaces. Has the breeding to deal with grime and is value a protracted look, particularly from the rail.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Josie Carroll
2. Jonathan’s Means (5-2): Received the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes right here at Churchill Downs and appeared like a principal contender within the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Introduced by TAA at Del Mar however by no means fired. Again dwelling in Kentucky, a few quick works point out he’s set for an improved efficiency.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Phil Bauer
3. Tiztastic (5-1): May favor turf just a little greater than grime, however versatile juvenile was second by 5 lengths within the Grade 3 Road Sense Stakes on the primary monitor at Churchill. Continued enchancment might flip him right into a contender.
JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
4. Dapper Moon (8-1): He was fourth in each the Road Sense and the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. Will probably be a part of the early tempo however drained and wound up fourth within the Road Sense at 1 1/16 miles right here at Churchill Downs and can want a a lot improved exhibiting on this spot.
JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
5. Filoso (8-1): Fell too far again within the Breeders’ Futurity after which rallied from 10th to seize third. A collection of good exercises paint him as a juvenile who might be able to take a step ahead.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Chad Summers
6. Clock Tower (10-1): One other who has displayed higher kind on turf than grime. Must be a part of the early tempo, however has but to indicate he can contest quick or average fractions and attain the wire first on grime.
JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Wesley Ward
7. Sonic Skidaddle (6-1): Didn’t hearth at 49.92-1 odds in his debut. Then romped with a powerful closing kick at 10.34-1. It’s a tough learn. Pace rankings are mediocre however late-running type and breeding point out he ought to thrive at two turns. Getting Tyler Gaffalione to experience is a plus.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
8. First Resort (9-2): Was second within the Grade 2 Saratoga Particular Stakes after which switched to turf for the Grade 1 bet365 Summer time Stakes. Was bumped firstly there and failed to indicate his normal early verve and completed fourth. Judging by the velocity he confirmed in his grime sprints, he figures to be the early chief and might be laborious to collar.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Eoin Harty
9. Render Judgment (12-1): Rallied within the last furlong to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Churchill Downs, so he can deal with the monitor and distance. His velocity determine was strange for that win and he might want to take a step ahead right here to be an element.
JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
10. Redacted (30-1): Was second as the favourite in his Churchill Downs debut on a moist monitor in sluggish time. Perhaps he’s a lot better on a dry monitor, however the class soar and outdoors submit work in opposition to him. Has a coach who is understood for getting huge efforts out of longshots.
JOCKEY: Edgar Morales; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
THE PICK: First Resort
LIVE LONGSHOT: Sonic Skidaddle
SUPERFECTA: 8-2-3-7
