Blue Grass (GI)

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA 100-50-25-15-10
April 8, 2025

Blue Grass Stakes Race History

Few Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races can boast as long and rich a history as the Blue Grass (G1), a tried-and-true local steppingstone toward the Run for the Roses.

The Blue Grass was first run in 1911 at the long-gone Kentucky Association racetrack in Lexington, and the race quickly established its prominence when inaugural runner-up Meridian returned to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). Donerail (1913), Behave Yourself (1921), and Bubbling Over (1926) likewise used the original Blue Grass as a springboard to success under the Twin Spires.

Following a 10-year hiatus, the Blue Grass was resurrected in 1937 at Keeneland, where it remains a prestigious spring fixture to this day. Through 2019, 19 horses have parlayed a run in Keeneland’s Blue Grass into victory at Churchill Downs, including 10 runners who won both races: Shut Out (1942), Tomy Lee (1959), Chateaugay (1963), Northern Dancer (1964), Lucky Debonair (1965), Forward Pass (1968), Dust Commander (1970), Riva Ridge (1972), Spectacular Bid (1979), and Strike the Gold (1991).

Historic Calumet Farm has won the Blue Grass half a dozen times, though arguably their most talented participant—1942 Triple Crown champion Whirlaway— finished second at Keeneland. The stakes record belongs to Hall of Famer Skip Away, who blazed 1 1⁄8 miles in 1:47.29 to win the 1996 renewal.

The Blue Grass endured a dry spell between 2007 and 2014, when the race was conducted over a synthetic track; during that timeframe, only 2007 runner-up Street Sense managed to prevail in the Kentucky Derby. But Keeneland’s return to dirt is already triggering a turnaround, with 2018 Blue Grass winner Good Magic recording a runner-up finish in the Run for the Roses and 2019 winner Essential Quality, who went on to add the Belmont (G1) and champion three-year-old male honors to his ledger,  finishing third at Churchill Downs.

Continued success seems inevitable for Kentucky’s signature Derby prep race.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

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Entries

Jockey

Owner

Trainer

Current odds

Wagers

1

River Thames

Ortiz Jr., Irad

WinStar Farm, LLC (Kenny Troutt), CHC, Inc. (Kit Ng), Pantofel Stable (Len Schle

Pletcher, Todd A.

5/2

2

Render Judgment

Russell, Sheldon

Baccari Racing Stable, LLC (Chris Baccari), Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. (Tonni Cove

McPeek, Kenneth G.

20/1

3

Burnham Square

Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph

Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (Janis R. Whitham)

Wilkes, Ian R.

9/2

4

Owen Almighty

Ortiz, Jose L.

Flying Dutchmen (Travis Boersma)

Lynch, Brian A.

3/1

5

East Avenue

Machado, Luan

Godolphin, LLC (Mohammed Al Maktoum, et al.)

Walsh, Brendan P.

3/1

6

Chancer McPatrick

Prat, Flavien

Flanagan Racing (Sean Flanagan)

Brown, Chad C.

7/2

7

Admiral Dennis

Saez, Luis

Albaugh Family Stables, LLC (Dennis Albaugh)

Cox, Brad H.

20/1

Road to the Kentucky Derby

Santa Anita Derby (GI)

April 5, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (GII)

April 5, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (GI)

April 8, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

UAE Derby (GII)

April 5, 2025

Meydan Racecourse • Dubai, UAE

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (GIII)

April 12, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

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