The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes serves a dual purpose for 2-year-olds. It will reward the top five finishers with 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Beyond that, Saturday’s Grade 2 stakes at Churchill Downs will give the juvenile an important race over the track where the opening leg of the Triple Crown is contested on the first Saturday in May. Bettors should also take of what happens in the 1 1/16-mile stakes as future betting on the Kentucky Derby will be available this weekend.

1. He’s Not Joking (8-1 morning-line odds): Arrives from Woodbine in Canada, where he was a Grade 3 winner. But all four of his starts have been on all-weather surfaces. Has the breeding to handle dirt and is worth a long look, especially from the rail.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Josie Carroll

2. Jonathan’s Way (5-2): Won the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes here at Churchill Downs and looked like a main contender in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA at Del Mar but never fired. Back home in Kentucky, a couple of fast works indicate he’s set for an improved performance.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Phil Bauer  

3. Tiztastic (5-1): Might favor turf a little more than dirt, but versatile juvenile was second by five lengths in the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes on the main track at Churchill. Continued improvement could turn him into a contender.

JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen                        

4. Dapper Moon (8-1): He was fourth in both the Street Sense and the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. Will be part of the early pace but tired and wound up fourth in the Street Sense at 1 1/16 miles here at Churchill Downs and will need a much improved showing in this spot.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Santana Jr.; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart

5.  Filoso (8-1): Fell too far back in the Breeders’ Futurity and then rallied from 10^th to grab third. A series of nice workouts paint him as a juvenile who could be ready to take a step forward.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Chad Summers

6. Clock Tower (10-1): Another who has displayed better form on turf than dirt. Should be part of the early pace, but has yet to show he can contest fast or moderate fractions and reach the wire first on dirt.

JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Wesley Ward

7. Sonic Skidaddle (6-1): Didn’t fire at 49.92-1 odds in his debut. Then romped with a strong closing kick at 10.34-1. It’s a hard read. Speed ratings are mediocre but late-running style and breeding indicate he should thrive at two turns. Getting Tyler Gaffalione to ride is a plus.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

First Resort (Coady Media)

8. First Resort (9-2): Was second in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes and then switched to turf for the Grade 1 bet365 Summer Stakes. Was bumped at the start there and failed to show his usual early verve and finished fourth. Judging by the speed he showed in his dirt sprints, he figures to be the early leader and could be hard to collar.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Eoin Harty

9. Render Judgment (12-1): Rallied in the final furlong to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Churchill Downs, so he can handle the track and distance. His speed figure was ordinary for that win and he will need to take a step forward here to be a factor.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

10. Redacted (30-1): Was second as the favorite in his Churchill Downs debut on a wet track in slow time. Maybe he’s much better on a dry track, but the class jump and outside post work against him. Has a trainer who is known for getting big efforts out of longshots.

JOCKEY: Edgar Morales; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart

THE PICK: First Resort

LIVE LONGSHOT: Sonic Skidaddle

SUPERFECTA: 8-2-3-7