2025 Blue Grass Stakes Contenders at Keeneland

** UPDATE ** April 2 - Due to weather, Keeneland will postpone Opening Day and has moved its Friday card to next Monday (April 7) and its blockbuster Blue Grass card from Saturday to Tuesday (April 8).

Blue Grass Stakes Awards 100-50-25-15-10 Qualifying Points for Kentucky Derby

Keeneland's 101st running of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) will take run on Saturday, April 5. In addition, Keeneland has increased the value by $250,000 so the season's signature Toyota Blue Grass (G1) is now $1.25 million

The Toyota Blue Grass offers 200 points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the first- through fifth-place finishers toward the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve to be run at Churchill Downs on May 4.

River Thames is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a field of seven 3-year-olds entered Tuesday for Saturday's 101st running of the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1).

Contested at 1 1/8 miles over the main track, the Toyota Blue Grass is the 10th race on Saturday's 11-race program with a 5:52 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1 p.m.

River Thames, who is two for three lifetime and runner-up in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park on March 1 in his most recent start, is trained by four-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Todd Pletcher.

Pletcher's previous winners were Bandini (2005), Monba (2008), Carpe Diem (2015) and Tapit Trice (2023). Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call on River Thames from post 1.

Co-second choices on the morning line at 3-1 are Godolphin's East Avenue and Flying Dutchmen's Owen Almighty.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, East Avenue was a daylight winner of last fall's Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1). He seeks to rebound from a 10th-place finish in the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds in his 2025 debut.

Five horses have completed a Claiborne Breeders' Futurity- Toyota Blue Grass double with the most recent being Essential Quality in 2020-2021.

Luan Machado has the mount from post position 5, the same spot East Avenue exited in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity.

"I'm happy with that," Walsh said of the post.

Owen Almighty, fresh off his victory in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 8, is trained by Brian Lynch. The colt has won three of six races with runner-up finishes in the Iroquois (G3) and the Sam F. Davis (L). Jose Ortiz, who won the 2018 Toyota Blue Grass on Good Magic, has the mount from post 4.

"The distance is always a concern," Lynch said. "I think he will relish it (a possible off track), and that is a thing that might be in his favor."

The fourth choice on the line at 7-2 is Flanagan Racing's Chancer McPatrick.

Trained by three-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Chad Brown, Chancer McPatrick comes into Saturday's race off a runner-up finish in the Tampa Bay Derby. Chancer McPatrick, who arrived at Keeneland Monday morning from South Florida, has won three of five races with Grade 1 victories in the Hopeful and the Champagne.

Flavien Prat, who won the 2022 Toyota Blue Grass on Zandon for Brown, has the call on Chancer McPatrick and will exit post 6.

"Ideal. Very happy with it," Brown said about the post.

Brown's other Toyota Blue Grass winners are Good Magic and Sierra Leone in 2024. Only three trainers have won the Blue Grass in consecutive years: LeRoy Jolley (1976-1977), Syl Veitch (1950-1951) and Ben Jones (1947-1948).

Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square, winner of the Holy Bull (G3) on Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park, is the fifth choice on the morning line at 4-1.

Trained by Ian Wilkes, Burnham Square enters Saturday's race off a fourth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth. Brian Hernandez Jr., who won the 2020 running of the Toyota Blue Grass on Art Collector, has the mount from post 3.

"It's all good," Wilkes said. "I'm in the starting gate."

Two other trainers will seek to add to their victory ledger in the Toyota Blue Grass. Two-time winner Kenny McPeek will saddle Render Judgment (20-1) and Brad Cox will send out Admiral Dennis (20-1).

Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing's Render Judgment, runner-up in the recent Virginia Derby, is McPeek's hope for a third victory in the Toyota Blue Grass to go with Harlan's Holiday (2002) and Java's War (2013).

Sheldon Russell has the call on Render Judgment from post 2.

Albaugh Family Stables' Admiral Dennis, sixth in the Rebel (G2) in his most recent start, will exit post 7 under Luis Saez.

Saez and Cox teamed up with Essential Quality to win the 2021 Toyota Blue Grass. Saez also won in 2016 on Brody's Cause and in 2023 on Tapit Trice.

The Toyota Blue Grass offers 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the first- through fifth-place finishers. The 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby, to be run May 3 at Churchill Downs, is limited to the top 20 point earners and invitees.

East Avenue Eyes Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes

March 31 - Godolphin's East Avenue, dominant winner of the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) here last fall, completed his final major preparations for the$1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) by working a half-mile in :47 over a fast track.

With Stephen Dolan aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh, East Avenue started 2 lengths in front of workmate Gosger, a 3-year-old maiden winner, and was 3 lengths in front at the wire. Fractions for the work were :23.40, :47 and galloping out 5 furlongs in 1:00.40.

"It was just a maintenance work; he did all of his major work at Fair Grounds," said Paul Madden, assistant to Walsh. "I got his last quarter in 23 and 4. He picked up a little company (from two other workers) at the top of the stretch, but Stephen said he didn't mind it at all."

The work was penciled in for Sunday and Walsh was scheduled to fly here from South Florida Saturday night, but with stormy weather forecasted for the next few days in the Lexington area, the work was moved up a day.

East Avenue will need a new rider for the Toyota Blue Grass because regular partner Tyler Gaffalione is sidelined with a broken ankle. That rider is to be determined.

Also working toward a possible Toyota Blue Grass start was Render Judgment, who covered 5 furlongs in 1:02.20. Trained by Kenny McPeek for the partnership of Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing, Render Judgment was runner-up in the recent Virginia Derby in his previous start.

Post positions for the Toyota Blue Grass and all races on April 5 and April 6 will be drawn on Tuesday, April 1.

Burnham Square Headed to Blue Grass after Fountain of Youth Disappointment

March 5 - Burnham Square came up short of winning his third straight victory of the 2024-2025 Championship Meet when finishing fourth in last Saturday's $415,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream, but trainer Ian Wilkes is forging ahead with the Liam's Map gelding on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

After breaking his maiden, winning the Holy Bull (G3), and being beaten less than three lengths by Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth, Burnham Square is likely to bypass the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 29 at Gulfstream and return in the April 5 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.

"He'll probably go to the Blue Grass. I've got to ship sometime," said Wilkes, noting that the extra week between the Florida Derby and Blue Grass "won't hurt him."

Burnham Square, who was last of six after the first quarter of a mile in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, ran in spots before finishing with energy to miss third by a neck.

"He made some mistakes in the race, but he did some good things too," said Wilkes before saddling the winner of Wednesday's first race. "He came running down the lane and galloped out good."

2025 Blue Grass Stakes Draws 133 Nominees

Feb 20 - The 101st running of the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on Saturday, April 5 at Keeneland Racecourse has attracted 133 nominees - including champion Citizen Bull - to the iconic springtime fixture for 3-year-olds.

With a $250,000 purse increase this year, the Toyota Blue Grass joins the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) as Keeneland's two $1.25 million races, which are the richest in track history. The Coolmore Turf Mile reached that level during the 2024 Fall Meet.

"Keeneland is proud of the enhanced stature of the Toyota Blue Grass, and we thank the owners and trainers who have nominated another quality group of horses to the historic race," Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. "The Toyota Blue Grass has produced a long list of major winners, including 2024 winner Sierra Leone, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and become the champion 3-year-old male. We look forward to showcasing another exceptionally talented field of 3-year-olds for this year's race."

Run on the second day of Keeneland's 15-day Spring Meet, the Toyota Blue Grass, held at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt, is one of five graded stakes worth a combined $3.15 million on the 11-race card, which has a first post of 1 p.m. ET.

Other stakes that day are the 24th running of the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1) for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs on the dirt; the 37th running of the $500,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies racing 1 mile on the turf; the 29th running of the $400,000 Valvoline Global Shakertown (G2) for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and the 38th running of the $350,000 Commonwealth (G3) for 4-year-olds and up going 7 furlongs on the dirt.

The Toyota Blue Grass is the 10th race with a tentative post time of 5:52 p.m. Every race during the Spring Meet will be streamed live and at no charge on Keeneland.com.

The winner of the Toyota Blue Grass will earn 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, while the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishers receive 50, 25, 15 and 10 points, respectively.

In total, 18 of the top 20 point earners toward the 151st running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 3 are nominated to the Toyota Blue Grass.

Citizen Bull, one of seven Toyota Blue Grass nominees trained by Bob Baffert, locked up his Eclipse Award with a front-running victory in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Topping the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Citizen Bull opened his 2025 campaign with a victory in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita on Feb. 1.

A graduate of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale, Citizen Bull is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.

Baffert's other nominees to the Toyota Blue Grass on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard include recent Sunland Park Derby (L) winner Getaway Car and Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Gaming. He also trains the undefeated nominee Barnes, winner of the San Vicente (G2) in his 2025 debut.

Additional Grade 1 winners among the Toyota Blue Grass nominees are East Avenue and Chancer McPatrick.

East Avenue, trained by Brendan Walsh, won the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last fall. Chancer McPatrick, trained by three-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Chad Brown, took the Hopeful (G1) and the Champagne (G1) last year.

Other prominent Toyota Blue Grass nominees include Built, winner of the Gun Runner (L) and two times graded stakes-placed; Bullard, winner of the Bob Hope (G3) and third behind Barnes in the San Vicente; Burnham Square, winner of the Holy Bull (G3); Caldera, runner-up by a nose to Getaway Car in the Sunland Park Derby; Chunk of Gold, runner-up in the Risen Star (G2); Coal Battle, winner of the Remington Springboard Mile (L) and the Smarty Jones (L); Disco Time, winner of the Lecomte (G3); Ferocious, runner-up in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity; First Resort, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2); John Hancock, winner of the Sam F. Davis (L); Jonathan's Way, winner of the Iroquois (G3) and runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club; Owen Almighty, runner-up in the Sam F. Davis and the Iroquois; Poster, winner of the Remsen (G2); Sandman, runner-up in the Southwest (G3); Sovereignty, winner of the Street Sense (G3); and Speed King, winner of the Southwest.

Brown, who won last year with Sierra Leone, and two-time winner Kenny McPeek are tied as the leading trainers by number of nominees to the Toyota Blue Grass with 12 each. They have one more than Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher and two more than D. Wayne Lukas.

Keeneland's $1 million Toyota (G1), an iconic springtime fixture for 3-year-olds, will be especially meaningful when it is run April 6 on opening Saturday of the Spring Meet.

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Blue Grass Stakes now at all-time high of $1.25 million

Jan 21 - Keeneland has increased the value of 16 stakes to be run during the 2025 Spring Meet - led by a $250,000 boost to the season's signature Toyota Blue Grass (G1) to $1.25 million - and will award a meet record $9.4 million for a total of 19 stakes scheduled during 15 days of racing from April 4-25.

The Toyota Blue Grass joins the Fall Meet's Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) as Keeneland's two $1.25 million races, which are the richest in track history. The Coolmore Turf Mile reached that level in October when total stakes purses for the Fall Meet were a track record $9.85 million.

Other purse increases include $150,000 for the Central Bank Ashland (G1), now worth $750,000, and $200,000 for the Transylvania (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, which becomes a $600,000 race.

Contributing to the purses for the total of 19 stakes to be run during the Spring Meet is $2.25 million available from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.

"Keeneland's Spring Meet is the destination of many of Thoroughbred racing's biggest names," Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. "The racing world converges here because they know this is where the best jockeys, trainers and horses will be, and they want to compete at the highest level. We are excited to continue to grow our racing program and eager to welcome horsemen and fans from around the world for Keeneland this spring."

The 101st running of the Toyota Blue Grass at 1 1/8 miles on Saturday, April 5 and the 88th running of the Central Bank Ashland at 1 1/16 miles - the year's first Grade 1 event for fillies, which will run the day before on opening day of the meet - are key springtime races on the dirt for 3-year-olds.

In addition, the two races both are worth 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively, with the winners of each stakes earning 100 qualifying points to the respective classic.

The early nomination deadline for the two races is Feb. 15. Late nominations are due March 19.