Meet the Contenders: 2023 Blue Grass Stakes
Blazing Sevens winning the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct (Photo by Janet Garaguso/Coglianese Photos)
April 6th, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Blue Grass (G1) over 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well in the Blue Grass field.
#1 TAPIT TRICE *****
Tapit Trice wins the Tampa Bay Derby (Photo by SV Photography)
Pro: Unleashed a big homestretch rally to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) last month.
Con: Slow-starting colt risks running into traffic trouble in this large field.
#2 CLEAR THE AIR *
Clear the Air wins maiden at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Picked up Kentucky Derby qualification points when finishing fifth in the Gotham (G3).
Con: His career-best 86 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light.
#3 VERIFYING *****
Verifying wins at Oaklawn Park Jan. 14, 2023. (Photo by Coady Photography/Oaklawn Park)
Pro: Finished second in the Champagne (G1) as a juvenile and has the pedigree to improve with maturity. He also has the speed to sit a favorable trip in this largely paceless field.
Con: Disappointed as the favorite in the Rebel (G2) last month, finishing fourth with a slightly troubled trip.
#4 CLASSIC CAR WASH **
Classic Car Wash wins at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Rallied to finish second in the Tampa Bay Derby, earning a career-best 93 Brisnet Speed rating.
Con: He couldn’t outkick Tapit Trice down the Tampa Bay Derby homestretch and needs improvement to turn the tables.
#5 HAYES STRIKE **
Hayes Strike wins maiden at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Closed nicely from midfield to win the Private Terms S. at Laurel Park last month.
Con: He’s been defeated in all three of his Road to the Kentucky Derby appearances.
#6 SCOOBIE QUANDO **
Scoobie Quando wins the Turfway Prevue Stakes (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Ran into traffic trouble before rallying to finish second in the John Battaglia Memorial S.
Con: He’s never run on dirt, competing exclusively over Tapeta thus far.
#7 SUN THUNDER ***
Sun Thunder wins at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Finished second in the Risen Star (G2) behind next-out Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Angel of Empire.
Con: He’s a deep closer who benefited from a quick pace in the Risen Star.
#8 BLAZING SEVENS ****
Blazing Sevens captures the Champagne (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Pro: Charged from last place to dominate the Champagne by 3 1/4 lengths at age two.
Con: Faltered in his 2023 debut, finishing eighth by a wide margin in the Fountain of Youth (G2).
#9 MAJOR BLUE *
Major Blue wins at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Speedy colt has won two straight races at Oaklawn Park.
Con: He’s never run in a stakes and is stepping up significantly in class for the Blue Grass.
#10 RAISE CAIN ***
Raise Cain winning the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct (Photo by Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos)
Pro: Unleashed a giant homestretch surge to dominate the Gotham by 7 1/2 lengths.
Con: Benefited from a hot pace in the Gotham and might not receive as favorable a setup on Saturday.
#11 MENDELSSOHNS MARCH **
Mendelssohns March wins at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Pro: Versatile colt won his debut on turf by setting the pace, then rallied to win an allowance optional claimer on dirt.
Con: His career-best 86 Brisnet Speed rating ranks on the low side in the Blue Grass field.
