The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade 1 horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. It was named for the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, characterized by grass having bluish-green culms, which is known as the "heart" of the thoroughbred racing industry.
First run at the Kentucky Association track in Lexington in 1911, the Blue Grass has, from its inception, served as an important prep for the Kentucky Derby. At the Association track, the Blue Grass was staged from 1911 through 1914 and from 1919 through 1926. The race was revived at Keeneland in the spring of 1937. In 1943-1944, the Blue Grass was renewed as a part of the Keeneland-at-Churchill Downs meeting. In 1945, the Blue Grass was run as part of the Churchill Downs meeting. Today it is part of the Keeneland program. The race is run at a distance of one and one-eighth miles on synthetic.
Stakes Race | Grade | Purse |
---|---|---|
Transylvania Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Ashland Stakes | I | $400,000 |
Madison Stakes | I | $300,000 |
Maker's Mark Mile Stakes | I | $300,000 |
Shakertown Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Jenny Wiley Stakes | II | $200,000 |
Commonwealth Stakes | II | $175,000 |
Blue Grass Stakes | I | $750,000 |
Beaumont Stakes | II | $150,000 |
Appalachian Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Doubledogdare Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Ben Ali Stakes | III | $150,000 |
Lexington Stakes | III | $200,000 |
Bewitch Stakes | III | $150,000 |
Elkhorn Stakes | II | $150,000 |
Phoenix Stakes | III | $175,000 |
Darley Alcibiades Stakes | I | $400,000 |
Woodford Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes | II | $200,000 |
First Lady Stakes | I | $350,000 |
Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes | I | $600,000 |
Dixiana Breeders' Futurity Stakes | I | $400,000 |
Bourbon Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Juddmonte Spinster Stakes | I | $500,000 |
Jessamine Stakes | III | $150,000 |
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes | I | $400,000 |
Sycamore Stakes | III | $100,000 |
Valley View Stakes | III | $150,000 |
Raven Run Stakes | II | $250,000 |
Fayette Stakes | II | $150,000 |