Meet the Contenders: 2025 Blue Grass Stakes
River Thames wins at Gulfstream. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)
April 2nd, 2025
Keeneland's Friday card has been pushed to Monday, and Saturday's racing will take place on Tuesday due to severe weather forecast for this upcoming weekend.
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Blue Grass S. 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 the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!
River Thames wins at Gulfstream. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Lauren King)
#1 River Thames *****
Pro: Solid stakes debut in Fountain of Youth (G2) following two easy wins.
Con: Will the relatively late start to his career catch up with him at some point?
Render Judgment wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Kurtis Coady)
#2 Render Judgment *
Pro: Has earned a couple of minor checks along the Derby prep trail.
Con: Distant second despite hot Virginia Derby pace; doesn’t seem quick enough.
Burnham Square winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Lauren King)
#3 Burnham Square ***
Pro: Toppled future Florida Derby (G1) winner in Holy Bull (G3).
Con: Wasn’t as effective in Fountain of Youth (G2); needs to find more.
Owen Almighty winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs (Photo by SV Photography)
#4 Owen Almighty ****
Pro: Made all in Tampa Bay Derby (G3); has never crossed the wire worse than third.
Con: Connections originally thought he was a miler type; they might have been right.
East Avenue winning the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 East Avenue **
Pro: Loved this track last fall romping in Breeders’ Futurity (G1).
Con: Ugly efforts last two and possibly a need-the-lead type.
Chancer McPatrick winning the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#6 Chancer McPatrick ****
Pro: Dual Grade 1 winner at two should benefit from Tampa Bay Derby (G3) comeback.
Con: 0-for-2 around two turns; might prefer one-turn tests.
Admiral Dennis wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Admiral Dennis *
Pro: Trainer/jockey combo captured 2021 Blue Grass with Essential Quality.
Con: Form has been hot or cold; well beaten in previous Derby prep tries.
