The country’s oldest and biggest horse racing event is only a month away, and things are getting intense every day. While the most coveted names of the sport are gearing up for the Kentucky Derby, the Blue Grass Stakes stands as the last obstacle in the way. With a prize money of $1M, the 1 1/8 mile race is expected to give fans a thrilling time on April 6.
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The weekend will keep fans on their toes for longer with the Santa Anita Derby also scheduled to announce the qualifiers for next month’s Kentucky Derby. With both these races promising some fast-paced action, here’s every detail about the Blue Grass Stakes to make sure you don’t miss any of the action en route to the prestigious race in Keeneland Race Course in Lexington.
Odds, entries and how to watch the Blue Grass Stakes
The race will kick off at 5:52 pm ET. The 100th edition of the Blue Grass Stakes will be televised on FanDuel TV and CNBC. According to cbsssports.com, the morning-line odds is expected to host a number of lightly-raced three-year-old horses. Sierra Leone, the winner of the Risen Star Stakes, is possible the favorite horse to win the race. With 2-1 odds, the mare will be partnering up with jockey Tyler Gaffalione. If Risen Star wins the race, he will face off against Fierceness, this year’s Florida Derby winner, at the Kentucky Derby.
With 15-1 and 20-1 odds, Top Conor and Seize the Grey respectively are also expected to bring the fight to Sierra Leone in today’s race. While Top Conor doesn’t have any derby points yet, his worth was given a glimpse as he won the Gulfstream Park in February. On the other hand, Seize the Grey finished third in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park last month, and has 27 Kentucky Derby points to his name already.
Winner of the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Dornoch also has 60 Derby points and will have 3-1 odds staked against him. Encino (12-1) and Epic Ride (20-1) are two other stakes winners who will definitely eye a win at the Blue Grass Stakes. But the Kentucky Derby won’t be an easy ride even for them.
Road to Kentucky getting intense
Over the last few months, horses, trainers, and jockeys have all been working extra hard to secure their spot in the Kentucky Derby. And amidst all the ruckus, no other story is probably more intense that the possibility of seeing Bob Baffert entering the race. After Medina Spirit’s failed drug test after winning the derby in 2021, Baffert was banned from the race.
However, Baffert has entered two horses in the Santa Anita Derby for Saturday. On top of that, one of his clients has also filed civil suit seeking a temporary injunction on the ban decision to ensure Baffert can get the chance to pick up his seventh Kentucky Derby win.
With 23 Blue Grass Stakes participants having previously won the Kentucky Derby, it waits to be seen how the final pool looks like for next month’s showdown. What are your predictions? Tell us in the comments.
Written by
Edited by
Arnima Shukla