Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks points up for grabs this weekend

It’s nearly eight months away, but that won’t stop racing fans from thinking about the first weekend in May at Churchill Downs when back-to-back stakes for 2-year-olds are run Saturday as part of a four-stakes package.

The Grade 3, $150,000 Iroquois Stakes is the first of 35 points races toward the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Similarly, the Grade 2, $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes – the richest race of the September meet – is the first of 31 points races to the 2016 Kentucky Oaks. The winner of each 1 1/16-mile race will earn 10 eligibility points.

The Iroquois, which drew 12 colts and geldings, goes as the ninth of 11 races on a Saturday program that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. There are two winners of ungraded stakes – Cocked and Loaded (Tremont) and Expected Ruler (Tyro) – and five maidens in what shapes up as a fascinating handicapping event, especially with most of them stretching out for the first time.

The Pocahontas, with eight fillies, directly precedes the Iroquois as the eighth race and figures to have a solid favorite in Just Wicked, the winner of the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga in her last start. Jose Ortiz will be in from New York to ride the Tapit homebred Just Wicked for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Both the Iroquois and Pocahontas are Win and You’re In events toward the Oct. 30-31 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

The Saturday card also includes two ungraded $100,000 stakes, both for fillies and mares: the Open Mind (race 5) at six furlongs and the Locust Grove (race 10) at 1 1/16 miles.