It's an exciting time at Churchill Downs as 2-year-old colts and fillies begin their journey towards the marquee events of spring. Saturday's card features two Grade 2 races, the $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes for the girls and the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes for the boys, both at 1 1/16 miles. Qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby will be awarded to the first five finishers.

Handicapping Tips for the Golden Rod and Kentucky Jockey Club

Good Cheer in the Golden Rod Stakes

Good Cheer's numbers are truly remarkable, making her a strong favorite for trainer Brad Cox. This daughter of Medaglia d'Oro has won all three of her races around two turns, with an average margin of 10 lengths. She's a stalker who has shown the ability to overcome traffic issues and slow paces. Although it's her graded-stakes debut, she has a clear advantage over her opponents. Only one rival, Quietside, has stakes experience, and she has yet to win in those races. Good Cheer's form suggests she could be a force to be reckoned with in the Golden Rod Stakes.Another aspect to consider is Good Cheer's pedigree. Bloodlines can play a crucial role in these situations, and Good Cheer seems to have the right genetics to succeed. If she can maintain her winning streak at Churchill Downs, she could be a serious contender for the top prize.

Jonathan's Way in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes

Jonathan's Way has been generating a lot of buzz after his impressive wins in the Saratoga debut and the mile Iroquois Stakes at Churchill. However, he faced some challenges in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile when he finished seventh, hindered by a lack of pace and Joel Rosario's tentative ride behind the wire-to-wire winner Citizen Bull.In the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, quick early fractions are expected from the mix of First Resort, Dapper Moon, Clock Tower, and Redacted. Trainer Brad Cox is likely to position Jonathan's Way just behind the first flight from post 2, aiming for a ground-saving trip. The wild card in this race is Woodbine shipper He's Not Joking, who is making his dirt debut after a successful 2-for-4 record on synthetic tracks. He's been training well in Canada and could potentially cause an upset.Jonathan's Way's past performances give him a good chance of success in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He has shown speed and determination in his previous races, and with the right conditions, he could emerge as a top contender.The writing team at US Racing consists of both full-time and part-time contributors with extensive expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide valuable insights and handicapping tips for racing enthusiasts.