Closing day at Churchill Downs features the "Stars to Tomorrow", a 12-race card exclusively for juveniles. The highlight race on Saturday afternoon was the $150,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2), with a field of nine 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Iroquois Stakes winner Capt. Candyman Can was sent off as the 11-10 favorite over 9-2 second choice Stormalory, second in an allowance last out, and 6-1 third choice Beethoven, who defeated Stormalory in the same allowance race in his last start.
Capt. Candyman Can went right to the front and he set a pace of 23.62, 47.26, and 1:12.83 over the fast track while as many as 3 lengths ahead of 12-1 Jazzandthemagician in second. Turning for home, Capt. Candyman Can broke stride briefly when avoiding shadows across the track, slowing his momentum. Beethoven, who raced in fourth early, found room on the rail to take over the lead with over a furlong remaining. Giant Oak, 8th early, closed with a rush 5 wide late, and a 3-horse photo finish ensued. Beethoven held off Giant Oak by a neck, who in turn outfinished the pacesetting favorite Capt. Candyman Can by a neck for second, in a final time of 1:44.14.
Results chart
Falls City Handicap - on Thursday November 27
Clark Handicap - on Friday November 28
