Kentucky Derby Prep Races: 2025 Blue Grass Stakes

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races Odds and News

Keeneland Spring Meet Opens with Blue Grass Stakes and Record Purses

As Kentucky Derby Prep Races heat up heading into April, the start of Keeneland’s spring meet adds excitement to the road to the first Saturday in May. 

While fans closely follow Kentucky derby odds and try to find betting value in every prep, the upcoming Blue Grass Stakes and Ashland Stakes offer two of the final and most essential points races before the big day. With plenty of action for bettors and top talent on display, Kentucky derby betting will be in full swing as Keeneland kicks off its season.

Opening day at Keeneland launches 15 days of Thoroughbred racing and special events, highlighted by a spring meet record $9.4 million in total stakes purses. To kick things off, the meet begins with the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes on Friday, the year’s first Grade 1 for 3-year-old fillies, now boosted to a $750,000 purse. Importantly, the Ashland awards 200 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points, with 100 to the winner, ensuring significant implications for the Oaks trail.

Blue Grass Stakes Headlines Keeneland’s First Saturday

Saturday’s highlight is the 101st running of the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1), one of the 2025 Kentucky Derby trail’s richest and most prestigious stops. With a $250,000 purse increase, the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds is now tied with the Turf Mile as the richest race in Keeneland history. The Blue Grass awards 200 2025 Kentucky Derby points, including 100 to the winner, effectively guaranteeing a spot in the Derby starting gate.

Blue Grass Day features an 11-race card, including five stakes races worth $3.15 million, offering deep fields and top-class competition for fans and bettors alike.

Grade 1 Action Continues Through Mid-April

The Keeneland spring meet will feature 19 stakes races, including three additional Grade 1 events following the Ashland and Blue Grass. Specifically, the $650,000 Madison (April 5), $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (April 11), and $650,000 Jenny Wiley (April 12) bring more elite runners to Lexington. Collectively, all three are proven draws for top-class talent nationwide.

Racing is held Wednesdays through Sundays, with the first post at 1 p.m. EDT. An exception is April 25, when the first race starts at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate Keeneland’s April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which begins that evening at 6:30 p.m.

Paddock Construction Nearing Completion

This spring also marks the final meet under construction for Keeneland’s new paddock building. Scheduled to open in the fall, the three-level structure will feature new dining spaces, enhanced spectator views of the saddling paddock, and state-of-the-art jockey quarters. Fans will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience as jockeys walk directly through dining areas before and after each race.

The new design also includes a safer, modern saddling stall area for horses and handlers while improving fan access and comfort in the paddock lawn area.

With the Blue Grass Stakes looming and significant implications for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks on the line, Keeneland’s spring meet offers world-class racing and premier betting opportunities. For complete odds, race previews, and more, be sure to visit our racebook today.