It's not closing day of the fall meet as in seasons past, but Saturday's Stars of Tomorrow II card at Churchill Downs will feature the final stakes action of the year at the Louisville, Kentucky, oval. As is customary, the feature events are the $150,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) and $150,000 Golden Rod S. (G2) for fillies, both at 1 1/16 miles.
Super Saver became the first Kentucky Jockey Club winner in 36 years to prevail in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when taking the Run for the Roses in May, and it's safe to presume the connections of the seven colts and geldings in Saturday's renewal hope to be back under the Twin Spires in six months. Favoritism will likely fall on ASTROLOGY (A.P. Indy), who met little resistance when taking the one-mile Iroquois S. (G3) by 2 3/4 lengths under Garrett Gomez, who will be back aboard the Steve Asmussen trainee.
The main threats to Astrology all exit races at Keeneland. SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway), who is still a maiden, rallied from near the back to finish a clear second in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) on October 9. He debuts here for Eddie Kenneally, who succeeds Ken McPeek and Todd Pletcher as the bay's conditioner. MAJOR GAIN (More Than Ready), a troubled fifth as the favorite in the Breeders' Futurity, had previously taken the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) by a length. CANE GARDEN BOY (Rockport Harbor) was a solid maiden winner going seven furlongs for Rusty Arnold on October 16 after narrowly losing on dirt in his Saratoga debut in early September.
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