Blue Grass Stakes — Betting Preview and Predictions (Apr 5)

A stacked weekend of action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby will see the Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby held.

There will also be vitally important prep action at Keeneland, as the Blue Grass Stakes will be staged. You can find the odds and our pick for the Grade One race here.

Odds

Blue Grass Stakes Recent Winners

Blue Grass Stakes: Event Information

Event Preview

The G1 Blue Grass Stakes always throws up a talented Triple Crown contender, and that was evident 12 months ago after Sierra Leone landed victory on his way to winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic. A small but talented field will go to post this weekend.

River Thames represents the most successful trainer in the history of this race- Todd Pletcher. The three-year-old has won twice from three career starts, and was last seen taking the leap into graded company when taking a fine second behind Sovereignity in the G2 Fountain of Youth. However, that form hasn’t worked out as well as many would have hoped.

However, that second still appears to be an important form line, especially when considering that Burnham Square could only finish fourth. East Avenue should be respected for the Brendan Walsh team this weekend.

The three-year-old was a disappointing tenth in the G2 Risen Star last time out, but he has some sound back form that is worth considering, which includes a win in the G1 Breeders’ Futurity as a two-year-old.

Render Judgement represents the Virginia Derby form after taking second in that race. However, a career-best performance will be required to compete at Keeneland.

Chancer McPatrick is the runner for Chad Brown. The three-year-old was well-backed in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but he could only finish sixth at Del Mar. His return run was promising after taking second in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby.

Blue Grass Stakes Picks

A typically wide-open renewal of the Blue Grass Stakes is set for this weekend. But, I am very keen on the chances of Owen Almighty.

He has been drawn soundly in four, and Jose Ortiz jumps aboard to take the ride.

The three-year-old has progressed with every run, and he was an excellent winner of the G3 Tampa Bay Derby over 1 1/16 last time out. More can be expected now stretched out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time.