Blue Grass Stakes

Despite their horse running sixth in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S., the connections of Owen Almighty (Speightstown) have informed Churchill Downs that their colt will be pointed to the GI Kentucky Derby, after all. "Owen Almighty has re-entered the Kentucky Derby picture, according to trainer Brian Lynch," Darren Rogers, the senior director, communications and media services wrote within an email that he sends out regularly updating the points standings for the Derby. With 65 points, Owen Almighty is in 12th place in the standings. At deadline for this story,...

TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack provides analysis for Saturday's three GI Kentucky Derby preps--the GI Santa Anita Derby, GII Wood Memorial S. & G2 UAE Derby--and Tuesday's postponed GI Toyota Blue Grass S. GI Toyota Blue Grass S. - I'm banking on a big performance from Chancer McPatrick, who should move forward nicely off his runner-up effort while making his sophomore debut in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby. Despite just a field of seven entered, there figures to be plenty of pace (East Avenue sporting first-time blinkers, the rail-drawn...

Godolphin's East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of last year's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, tuned up for next Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes with a four-furlong work in :47.00 (7/106) at Keeneland Saturday. With Stephen Dolan aboard for trainer Brendan Walsh, East Avenue started two lengths in front of workmate Gosger (Nyquist), a 3-year-old maiden winner, and was three lengths in front at the wire. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.40. "It was just a maintenance work; he did all of his major work at Fair Grounds," said Paul...

Unraced since finishing second in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic, 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) is nearing his 4-year-old debut, which will most likely come in the May 4 GIII Westchester S. at Aqueduct. His comeback was put on temporary hold because he was turned out for 60 days after undergoing an elective surgical procedure on a hind ankle. He had his first published workout this year when breezing three furlongs in :36.23 Mar. 13 at Palm Beach Downs. "He's come back very well," trainer Todd Pletcher...

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC's Burnham Square (Liam's Map), who won the GIII Holy Bull Stakes Feb. 1 but finished fourth Saturday as the 9-5 choice in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, will most likely skip Gulfstream's GI Florida Derby Mar. 29 and instead ship to Keeneland for the GI Blue Grass Stakes Apr. 5. "He'll probably go to the Blue Grass," said trainer Ian Wilkes. "I've got to ship sometime." Wilkes also noted the extra week between the Florida Derby and the Blue Grass "won't hurt him."...

With the season's signature GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes leading the way with an all-time high purse of $1.25 million, the stakes schedule for Keeneland's Spring Meet will be worth a record $9.4 million. The Blue Grass is one of 16 races on the 19-race stakes schedule to have purse increases for 2025. With an increase of $150,000, the GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes is now worth $750,000, and an increase of $200,000 will make the GIII Transylvania Stakes a $600,000 race. Contributing to the purses for the total of...

GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Tapit Trice (Tapit--Danzatrice, by Dunkirk) will return to his birthplace, Gainesway Farm, to enter stud upon his retirement from racing, the Central Kentucky nursery and stud farm announced Tuesday afternoon. Tapit Trice's next scheduled engagement is Saturday afternoon in the $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic, where he will break from post 10. He races for the partnership of Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm, LLC and Gainesway Stable. "Winning the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes in partnership with Gainesway has been a real highlight for our...

Bidding is now open for the Masterson Equestrian Trust's 20th Anniversary Auction, supporting equestrian green space in the Lexington, Kentucky area. Now in its 20th year, MET is a 501c3 nonprofit aimed at preserving and protecting Masterson Station Park as an equestrian facility from development and repurposing. Items up for auction include halters worn by Justify, Tiznow, Distorted Humor and Tapit; lessons with top equestrian teachers; photo sessions; a box to the Blue Grass Stakes; a tailgate spot to the Defender 3-Day Event, and dozens of equine-related gifts and products....

Average Joe Racing Stables Ltd. and Dan Wells' Mugatu (Blofeld), an also-eligible entrant in the GI Kentucky Derby and most recently fifth in the Apr. 6 GI Toyota Blue Grass S., will make his next start in the May 18 GI Preakness S., trainer Jeff Engler confirmed Tuesday. "He's getting better. He really moved up on the dirt. His numbers proved it. Seize the Grey (Arrogate), who won the [GII] Pat Day Mile, we finished in front of him in the Blue Grass. I heard Seize the Grey is going...

Fresh off a yet another win in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, trainer Chad Brown joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland to offer up insight on Sierra Leone's definitive victory and share how he hopes to see the $2.3-million son of Gun Runner progress from here. Brown was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. While Sierra Leone's come-from-behind Blue Grass win was one of the more visually impressive Kentucky Derby preps of the year, the race left plenty of room for improvement...

The plot thickens as the cadence quickens. Entries will be drawn Tuesday for this Saturday's GI Toyota Blue Grass S., and on Wednesday for the GI Santa Anita Derby and GII Wood Memorial S. 1) MUTH (c, Good Magic--Hoppa, by Uncle Mo) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Zedan Racing Stables Inc; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 6-4-2-0, $1,504,100. Last start: WON Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby. Muth's two-length score in the GI Arkansas Derby cemented his status as...

The Big 3 Pick 3, a new wager encompassing the GII Wood Memorial, GI Toyota Blue Grass S, and GI Santa Anita Derby, will be available to bettors this Saturday, the New York Racing Association, Keeneland, and 1/ST announced jointly Monday. The Big 3 Pick 3, which will be hosted by Aqueduct, will be offered with a $3 minimum and mandatory payout. The Big 3 Pick 3 will appear as a separate wager/track on wagering machines or online account: Big 3 Pick 3. All three races are contested at nine...