Jonathan’s Way headlines a competitive field in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club
At 0h38, on November 27, 2024 • By Churchill Downs
The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues next Saturday at Churchill Downs, where Rigney Racing’s Iroquois Stakes (Grade III) winner Jonathan’s Way headlines a competitive field of 10 2-year-olds entered in the 98th running of the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII), the featured race on the Stars of Tomorrow II program.
The 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club will be run as Race 11 on the 12-race program with a post time of 5:48 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m. The card also will feature its filly counterpart, the $400,000 Golden Rod (GII) in Race 9, which is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks Prep Season.
Trained by Phil Bauer, Jonathan’s Way burst onto the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a commanding 2 ¾-length score in the Iroquois in September and earned 10 qualifying points toward a spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 151. After his standout performance, the Ohio-bred colt was among the top choices for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) but finished a disappointing seventh after chasing a moderate early pace set by eventual winner Citizen Bull. Jockey Joel Rosario, aboard for the Iroquois and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, retains the mount and will guide Jonathan’s Way on Saturday from post No. 2.
Jonathan’s Way will face several promising 2-year-olds including Grey Stakes (GIII) winner He’s Not Joking; Saratoga Special (GII) runner-up First Resort; and Breeders’ Futurity (GI) third-place finisher Filoso.
