Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Blue Grass Stakes

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races Odds and News

2025 Blue Grass Stakes Draws Competitive Field on Road to the Kentucky Derby

As anticipation builds for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, one of the most important Kentucky Derby Prep Races takes place this Saturday at Keeneland with the 101st edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes. 

This race is a significant final qualifier for the Derby and is pivotal in shaping Kentucky Derby odds for May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Held annually during Keeneland’s Spring Meet, the Blue Grass Stakes is one of the crown jewels of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series. It awards 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers. A win or a runner-up finish is often enough to punch a ticket into the 20-horse Derby field.

Blue Grass Field Features Derby Contenders and Graded Stakes Winners

River Thames

This year’s field features seven 3-year-olds with a potential path to Louisville. Drawing post 1 and installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite is River Thames, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. 

The colt was last seen finishing a strong second in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and enters with momentum. Historically, the favorite has won the Blue Grass 40 times in 100 runnings, including five of the last seven editions.

Render Judgement

Right alongside him is 20-1 longshot Render Judgment, trained by Lexington native Kenny McPeek. While Render Judgment is facing a challenging field, McPeek has twice trained Blue Grass winners, and his home-track familiarity could play a role.

Owen Almighty

From trainer Ian Wilkes, Burnham Square (4-1) enters off a sharp win in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes in February and will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. In post 4 is Owen Almighty (3-1), the recent Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby winner.  Trained by Brian Lynch and to be ridden by Jose Ortiz, Owen Almighty has shown consistency and will be stretching out in distance.

East Avenue

Another top contender is East Avenue (3-1), who delivered a dominant performance last fall at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity. Trained by Brendan Walsh and with Luan Machado aboard, East Avenue is no stranger to the Keeneland dirt.

Chance McPatrick

The lone multiple Grade 1 winner in the field is Chancer McPatrick (7-2), breaking from post 6 for trainer Chad Brown. Flavien Prat, one of the most successful big-race riders in recent years, will be in the saddle.

Admiral Dennis

Rounding out the field is Admiral Dennis (20-1), trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Luis Saez. Though lightly regarded on the morning line, Cox’s runners are always dangerous in top-level company.

Historic Stakes, Weather Factor, and High Stakes on the Line

Post time for the Blue Grass Stakes is 5:52 p.m. EDT, and it will be the 10th of 11 races on a blockbuster Saturday card at Keeneland. The day also includes five stakes races worth a combined $3.15 million. The Blue Grass received a $250,000 purse boost this year and now ties with the Coolmore Turf Mile as Keeneland’s richest race at $1.25 million.

Rain may play a role, as the National Weather Service forecasts heavy rainfall Thursday through Saturday. If track conditions turn muddy or sloppy, it could shake up the outcome, especially with some horses untested on an off-track.

The Blue Grass Stakes has a rich legacy. Ten horses have pulled off the Blue Grass–Kentucky Derby double, although none have done so in over 30 years. Nineteen Blue Grass runners have gone on to win the Derby, making it a key stop on the road to Churchill Downs.

To get the latest odds and expert analysis and place your wagers on the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes and more, visit our racebook today.