The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is an important test for 2-year-olds for several reasons. Held at 1 1/8 miles, it gives juveniles a taste of competing around two turns, which will be a staple in major 3-year-old stakes, and it will also give a handful of them a head-start on Kentucky Derby qualifying points with 10-4-2-1 going to the top four finishers.

Making the Grade, which will run through the 2021 Triple Crown races, focuses on the winners or top performers of the key races, usually from the previous weekend, who could make an impact on the Triple Crown. We’ll be taking a close look at impressive winners and evaluating their chances to win classic races based upon ability, running style, connections (owner, trainer, jockey), and pedigree.