The Kentucky Juvenile Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event is open to two-year-old horses. Previously a race contested at furlongs on dirt, it has been run at a distance of five furlongs since 2006.

It first became a Grade III race in 1999. The event was not run in 2005 and six years later in 2011 was removed from the calendar. The event was resumed in 2016 as a Black Type event.

Records Speed record 5 furlongs – 0:57.46 – Rated Fiesty (2007) 5.5 furlongs – 1:03.11 – Leelanau (2001) (new track record)

Most wins by a trainer 7 – Steven M. Asmussen (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2017, 2021) (five consecutive editions)

Most wins by a jockey 4 – Shane Sellers (1994, 1996, 1998 & 2004) Most wins by an owner

4 – Heiligbrodt Racing Stable (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007)

Winners of the Kentucky Juvenile Stakes since 1988 Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Grade2026Waggley Joel RosarioWesley A. WardTen Broeck Farm, Inc.5-fur.1:00.372025Pinky Finger Joel RosarioWesley A. WardWesley A. Ward5-fur.0:58.322024West Memorial Reylu GutierrezJohn A. HancockSwinbank Stables5-fur.0:58.292023YoualmosthadmeTyler GaffalioneBrad H. CoxQatar Racing, Swinbank Stables, Steve Adkisson & Black Type Thoroughbreds5-fur.0:57.492022Tom's RegretTyler BazeJorge PeribanGriffin Stables, Saul Carrillo, Victor M. Flores & Eugene Zondlo5-fur.0:58.23 2021† Vodka N WaterRicardo Santana Jr.Steven M. AsmussenHat Creek Racing5-fur.0:58.64 2020Not held2019Rookie SalsaAngel SuarezJeremiah O'DwyerDesignated Hitters Racing5-fur.0:59.32 2018WeilandCarlos VillasanaJohn EnnisJohn Ennis5-fur.0:59.32 2017Buy Sell HoldFlorent GerouxSteven M. AsmussenKirk Robison & Judy Robison5-fur.0:58.33 2016 Silvertoni Jose Valdivia Jr. Wesley A. Ward Silverton Hill LLC 5-fur.0:58.63 2011–2015 Not held2010 Lou Brissie John R. Velazquez Neil Howard Dogwood Stable5-fur.0:57.80 III2009 Aegean René Douglas Wesley Ward Steven Michael Bell5-fur.0:58.24 III2008 Run Away and Hide Robby Albarado Ronny Werner Ronald K. Kirk, John C. Bates & Michael Riordan5-fur.0:57.56 III2007 Rated Fiesty Shaun Bridgmohan Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stables & JMJ Racing Stable5-fur.0:57.46 III2006 Datrick Shaun Bridgmohan Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable5-fur.0:58.37 III2005 Not held2004 Lunarpal Shane Sellers Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable5.5-fur.1:04.07 III2003 Cuvee Lonnie Meche Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds5.5-fur.1:04.45 III2002 Posse Donnie Meche Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable5.5-fur.1:03.73 III2001 Leelanau Jon Court Steven Morguelan Iron Horse Racing5.5-fur.1:03.11 III2000 Gold Mover Craig Perret Mark A. Hennig Edward P. Evans5.5-fur.1:03.67 III1999 Chilukki Robby Albarado Bob Baffert Stonerside Stable5.5-fur.1:04.01 III1998 Yes It's True Shane Sellers D. Wayne Lukas Padua Stables5.5-fur.1:03.611997 Favorite Trick Pat Day Patrick B. Byrne Joseph LaCombe5.5-fur.1:04.801996 Move Shane Sellers Frank L. Brothers Cherry Valley Farm5.5-fur.1:05.741995 Miraloma Donna Barton D. Wayne Lukas Robert B. Lewis & Beverly J. Lewis5.5-fur.1:04.041994 My My Shane Sellers William H. Fires Patricia B. Blass5.5-fur.1:05.961993 Asta's Foxy Lady Tracy J. Hebert Byron Glibert Valene Farms5.5-fur.1:05.511992 Tempered Halo Patrick A. Johnson William I. Mott John A. Franks5.5-fur.1:05.391991 Hippomenes Pat Day Carlos A. Garcia Prestonwood Farm5.5-fur.1:06.301990 To Freedom Julio C. Espinoza John J. Tammaro Jr. Prestonwood Farm5.5-fur.1:05.001989 Summer Squall Charles R. Woods Jr. Neil J. Howard Dogwood Stable5.5-fur.1:05.001988 Island Escape Charles R. Woods Jr. Neil J. Howard William S. Farish5.5-fur.1:04.60

Notes:

† In the 2021 running of the event Averly Jane was first past the post and wagering was paid out as the winner, however the horse returned a positive swab testing positive for metformin and consequently was disqualified from the prize money and was placed seventh (last). Vodka N Water was declared the official winner of the event.

References

The 2008 Kentucky Stakes at the NTRA