River Thames early favorite in $1.25 million Blue Grass

Apr 01, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

River Thames wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Speed, an inside draw, and a solid last-out performance in the Fountain of Youth (G2) are positive factors going for River Thames in $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, which has been postponed from Saturday to Tuesday, April 8, due to inclement weather.

Although he began his career later than his Blue Grass rivals, River Thames has come a long way in a short period. Debuting on Jan. 11 with a 4 3/4-length win going six furlongs at Gulfstream, River Thames followed up with a decisive 6 1/2-length allowance win over a mile.

Stepping up to stakes company last month in the Fountain of Youth, River Thames appeared he would eke out a close win until the final jumps, when Sovereignty snatched victory away in the final strides. River Thames' margin of defeat to the subsequent Florida Derby (G1) runner-up was a neck.

Another likely pace player is Owen Almighty, who enters off a dominant, front-running performance in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The son of Speightstown won off by 3 1/2 lengths over Chancer McPatrick, a dual Grade 1 winner last season.

Chancer McPatrick should come on from the Tampa effort, his first since finishing a dull sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in November. Another who did not run to his best at Del Mar, East Avenue, also quit badly as the odds-on choice in the Feb. 13 Risen Star (G2). Winner of the Breeders' Futurity (G1) last October, perhaps the return to Keeneland will renew his interest.

Burnham Square won the Holy Bull (G3) in early February over Tappan Street, who captured the Florida Derby last week. Burnham Square was less effective in the Fountain of Youth, finishing fourth after lacking much of a stretch punch. The Blue Grass field is rounded out by Render Judgment, a distant second in the Virginia Derby last out, and Admiral Dennis, who was well beaten in two prior Derby prep attempts.

The Blue Grass awards Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the respective top five finishers. Post time is 5:52 p.m. ET, and it can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.