Blue Grass Stakes Odds, Analysis, Free PPs (2019)
Free Blue Grass Stakes past performances for Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Keeneland.
The field for the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) with a purse of $1,000,000 will go as the 10th race on a big weekend of racing on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The full field of 14 is headed by the 9-5 favorite Vekoma. Trained by George Weaver, the 3YO son of Candy Ride will be making his fourth start following a third place finish in the G2 Fountain of Youth earlier in the month.
Last week we saw heavy favorite Hidden Scroll go down in defeat in the Florida Derby following his victory in the Fountain of Youth on March 3.
Jockey Javier Castellano has the call aboard Vekoma who will be making his second start of the year for his connections who are hoping that he’ll take a step up. But given the results of the Florida Derby, we think the FOY may not have been the best indicator for success of horses exiting that one as they go in their next race.
The Blue Grass hasn’t attracted the top of the crop 3YOs this year and with a full field of 14 we could see someone spring the upset at a price.
The Blue Grass Stakes is one of three races this weekend on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and offers 100 points to the winner as Derby fever kicks into high gear with only 28 days before the May 4, 2019 Run for the Roses. In addition to the top prize of 100 points, the Blue Grass Stakes will also award points to the second, third, and fourth place finishers in a 40-20-10 distribution.
The Official Field for the 1 1/8 miles Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland
| PP | Horse | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somelikeithotbrown | Maker | 10-1 |
| Two race win streak on synthetic at Turfway going this distance LTO in the Jeff Ruby Steaks. Sire had plenty of speed and won the first two legs of the TC before freaking out in the Belmont. Makes his first start on dirt and could be the spoiler in here. | |||
| 2 | Vekoma | Weaver | 9-5 |
| Gets new rider for second start of the year. Was third LTO in FOY which turned out to be a dud for picking the Florida Derby. Short priced favorite vulnerable in here. | |||
| 3 | Signalman | McPeek | 5-1 |
| Was second in the Breeders’ Futurity here last year so gets points for that. Won the KYJC on the slop two back before flopping in the FOY. Two bullets coming into this race but nothing special in a wide open race. | |||
| 4 | Market King | Lukas | 20-1 |
| Expect him to press the pace early but with just a maiden win and a weakening performance LTO in the Rebel as his only test to date he’ll have to move forward fast if he wants in on the Derby. Weak field here could help him hang on for a piece. | |||
| 5 | Chess Chief | Stewart | 30-1 |
| Last out maiden winner at Fair Grounds in his first two turn race was his best yet. Lanerie didn’t see fit to stick with him in deeper water and opts for the other Stewart runner in the 14 hole today. Sitting on a bullet and this race is ripe for an upset. Could shock. | |||
| 6 | Dream Maker | Casse | 12-1 |
| Looking for any angle in the running lines that would make him stand out reveals plenty of reasons to toss a couple of his prior performances and give him a shot. Toss the troubled trips in the Tampa Bay Derby and his only prior start here as the favorite in a G1 and he could be the best bet in here. | |||
| 7 | Admire | Romans | 15-1 |
| Lone win came on slop at Churchill in second start. Tried the G3 Withers to start year and was flat in the Tampa highlight. Would have to freak to win this. | |||
| 8 | Win Win Win | Trombetta | 7-2 |
| Three time winner enters as the second choice in a big field. Ortiz Jr. returns in the saddle off a rallying 3rd place finish in the TB Derby as the favorite. Not sure his one run style will suit longer distances of this or the Classics. | |||
| 9 | Sir Winston | Casse | 15-1 |
| Trainer and jockey looking for first win at Keeneland meet. He’s another returnee from the TB Derby when he showed up late to get 5th. Owns two wins on all-weather at Woodbine but feel stablemate to his inside has better shot at this. | |||
| 10 | Lucky Lee | Servis | 20-1 |
| Not sure what to make of this guy. He won two at a mile at Parx on the lead every step. But his lone graded effort in the G3 Withers was a failed experiment. | |||
| 11 | So Alive | Pletcher | 15-1 |
| Son of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, he won his maiden voyage here in a six furlong muddy contest last October. Has been bet down in each of four. Broke slow LTO in the Sam Davis but rallied to third while well beaten. Castellano opts for the favorite today but Saez is a good rider who incidentally upset the Florida Derby last weekend when controlling the pace. Love the fact that he has a win over the track and is the pick in here. | |||
| 12 | Parsimony | O’Neill | 20-1 |
| 0 for 8 which makes him the only maiden in a tough spot. Connections won a Derby with I’ll Have Another but this guy is not likely to give them one again this year. | |||
| 13 | Moonster | Romans | 30-1 |
| Rallied in the ‘Ruby LTO to get third on synthetic. Won a maiden starter at 1 mile for his only victory in 8 starts. Can’t see how. | |||
| 14 | Aquadini | Stewart | 30-1 |
| Will have to go from the widest post but shouldn’t have any problems getting position into the first turn. Lanerie will have to try and throttle him down as he stretches back out after his maiden win two back. A lot to do from out here. | |||
Free Blue Grass Stakes Past Performances
Free past performances for the Blue Grass Stakes provided by Brisnet
