Churchill Downs Update: Asmussen Well Represented on Stars of Tomorrow Card Led by Two-Horse Charge in Kentucky Jockey Club

Nov 28, 2025

Churchill Downs Coady Photography

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will be well represented on Saturday’s Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs and could move into a tie with the late D. Wayne Lukas for the most wins in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (Grade II) where he’ll saddle Iroquois Stakes (GIII) winner Spice Runner and dominant allowance winner Soldier N Diplomat.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Spice Runner, a son of the Asmussen-trained Gun Runner, began the Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve when he edged Comport by a head in the Sept. 13 Iroquois at Churchill Downs. He returned four weeks later in the Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland but finished a distant fifth after stumbling badly at the start. He’ll be ridden in the Kentucky Jockey Club by Joel Rosario from the rail.

“Drawing the rail is fine,” Asmussen said. “He had success here in the Iroquois, so we know he likes the surface. I thought he lost all chance in the Breeders’ Futurity when he fell on his head leaving there. But success at a mile doesn’t guarantee it at two turns. This is a very fast and talented group, but I think his racing experience will help him out.”

Breaking three stalls to his outside is St Elias Stable’s Soldier N Diplomat, who dominated a first level allowance by nine lengths on Stars of Tomorrow I at Churchill Downs. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount Saturday in the colt’s first attempt around two turns.

“You do everything you can to prepare them but it is still a question you do not know the answer to until they do it,” Asmussen said about stretching out in distance. “He is extremely talented. I liked how he rated in the allowance going a mile and hopefully he will handle two turns the same way for Tyler. He is a very talented horse and we have high hopes for him.”

Asmussen has won the Kentucky Jockey Club three times: Mike McCarty’s Private Vow in 2005, Ron Winchell’s Tapiture in 2013 and Ed and Susie Orr’s Silver Prospector in 2019.

The field for the Kentucky Jockey Club in order of post position (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

Spice Runner (Rosario, Asmussen, 12-1)
Cherokee Nation (Flavien Prat, Bob Baffert, 3-1)
Dr. Kapur (Jose Ortiz, Saffie Joseph Jr., 8-1)
Soldier N Diplomat (Gaffalione, Asmussen, 4-1)
Very Connected (Manny Esquivel, Kenny McPeek, 15-1)
Futher Ado (Irad Ortiz Jr., Brad Cox, 7-5)
Universe (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 9-2)
Saturday’s 12 race Stars of Tomorrow II program begins at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Kentucky Jockey Club scheduled as Race 10 at 5:25 p.m.

One race later, Asmussen will send out Kirk and Judy Robison’s Essential Coffee in the $400,000 Golden Rod (GII) on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. A 30-1 longshot, Essential Coffee broke her maiden by a length on Oct. 15 at Keeneland and will stretch out around two turns for the first time with Corey Lanerie aboard.

“I do think she is at her best on the front end,” Asmussen said. “She got back to that in her win at Keeneland. She has a big stride, and if she gets away from there cleanly, just let her be herself. Corey and I have won a lot of races together. I think he will suit her extremely well.”

The field for the Golden Rod from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

Baracca (Axel Concepcion, Brendan Walsh, 15-1)
Essential Coffee (Lanerie, Asmussen, 30-1)
Just Singing (Luan Machado, Kent Sweezy, 15-1)
Vita Mia (Junior Alvarado, Armando De La Cerda, 30-1)
Letmecounttheways (Joel Rosario, Mike Maker, 9-2)
Life of Joy (Irad Ortiz Jr., Brad Cox, 4-1)
Raspberry (Luis Saez, Whit Beckman, 30-1)
Wonzee Weather (Chase Miller, Darrin Miller, 30-1)
Atropa (Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux, 8-1)
Coco Connect (Adam Beschizza, John Ennis, 30-1)
Bella Ballerina (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh, 10-1)
Explora (Flavien Prat, Bob Baffert, 7-5)
The Grumpy Rabbit (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 15-1)
Explora did not ship to Churchill Downs from her Santa Anita base and was scratched from the race.

Overall, Asmussen entered 11 2-year-olds on Saturday’s program across nine races. Among his other entrants are Stradale in the $225,000 Ed Brown Stakes and I B Flyin in the $225,000 Fern Creek.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs on www.twinspires.com, the official wagering platform of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

DERBY CITY 6 JACKPOT CLIMBS TO $395,317 FOR FRIDAY’S CARD – Friday’s Derby City 6 Jackpot will give horseplayers a chance to score a massive payday with the carryover standing at $395,317 for the 12-race card.

The Derby City 6 Jackpot, which challenges bettors to have the only winning combination to take down the jackpot, has a 20-cent denomination with a low 15 percent takeout. If there are multiple winning combinations, 90 percent of the daily pool will be paid out with the remaining 10 percent going to the carryover.

Friday’s sequence: (with scratches as of 9 a.m. ET)

Race 7 (3:55 p.m.): Clm 12500, 3&up, 1 M (nine runners)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m.): Alw 30000s, f&m, 6 ½ F (eight runners)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m.): Clm 30000n2L, 3&up, 7 F (11 runners)
Race 10 5:25 p.m.): $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII), 3yo f, 1 1/16 M (T) (11 runners)
Race 11 (5:54 p.m.): $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GII), 3&up, 1 1/8 M (eight runners)
Race 12 (6:26 p.m.): Mdn 120k, 3&up, 6 F (nine runners)
The main track was listed as “fast” and turf labeled as “firm” with the temporary rail set at 24 feet.

‘ALL OTHERS’ 3-1 FAVORITE AFTER FIRST DAY OF FUTURE WAGER – “All Other Foals of 2023” was the early 3-1 favorite after one day of wagering in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner Ted Noffey the 6-1 individual favorite.

Other horses taking attention included Further Ado (12-1), Boyd (12-1), Brant (16-1), Cherokee Nation (19-1) and Mr. A.P. (20-1).

In the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, offspring of Into Mischief were the 4-1 favorite followed by Gun Runner (7-1), Not This Time (11-1) and American Pharoah (12-1).

The four-day pools, featuring $2 Win and Exacta wagering, opened Thursday and will close Sunday at 6 p.m. (all times Eastern).

For the latest odds, past performances and more information, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/futurewager.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The Churchill Downs track maintenance crew worked the track throughout the night due to below freezing temperatures in the Louisville area. The track opened at 5:30 a.m. for training and closed an hour earlier than normal at 9 a.m. … In the race for the Oliver Lewis Leading Jockey Award, which is given to the jockey for the most wins throughout the year at Churchill Downs (Spring, September and Fall Meets), Jose Ortiz had a 106-83 lead over Luis Saez. In the race for the Ansel Williamson Leading Trainer Award, Brad Cox had a 43-36 lead over Joe Sharp. Godolphin had a 19-15 lead over David Jacobson for the Henry Price McGrath Leading Owner Award. … Fans in attendance Friday could receive a complementary 2026 Churchill Downs calendar presented by Humana while supplies last. The calendars were given away starting at noon on the 2nd Floor Clubhouse. … Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are back in town. Fans could visit with the world’s most iconic husband/wife duo Friday from 4-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 3-5 p.m. on the 2nd Floor Clubhouse. … For more information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.