Five consecutive stakes races are on the opening Saturday docket at Keeneland, where an 11-race card gets underway at 1 pm ET. Serious threats of significant rainfall have forced the track to issue public statements about the prospects of safety and potential scheduling adjustments. Stay apprised of updates in what traditionally is one of the most important Kentucky Derby prep races and spring racing cards.

The Blue Grass includes a $10 money-back special from 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third.

Let’s meet the contenders for the Blue Grass (Race 10):

#1-RIVER THAMES: Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Blue Grass a record 4 times, most recently with Tapit Trice in 2023. River Thames won his first 2 starts at Gulfstream before being nabbed in the shadow of the wire in the Fountain of Youth Stakes in his first 2-turn bid. The 1-3 finishers in the FoY returned to run 2-3 last weekend in the Florida Derby. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. hops off Owen Almighty to ride River Thames for the first time as regular pilot John Velazquez is riding Saturday in Dubai. Expect early pace from the rail.

#2-RENDER JUDGMENT: Virginia Derby runner-up last out looks to snap an 0-4 stakes mark. Last year’s Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek is trying to get back to big dance. He has won the Blue Grass with Harlan’s Holiday (2002) and Java’s War (2013). Virginia Derby pilot and Colonial Downs regular Sheldon Russell gets the return call. Debuted second in a Keeneland maiden sprint during the Fall Meet.

#3-BURNHAM SQUARE: Two-time Gulfstream route winner this winter, including the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Feb. 1 over eventual Florida Derby winner Tappan Street. Looks to bounce back after disappointing fourth as the 9-5 chalk in GP’s Fountain of Youth. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who won last year’s Kentucky Derby aboard Mystik Dan, replaces Gulfstream-based Edgard Zayas in the saddle. Hernandez won the 2020 Blue Grass aboard Art Collector. Like Render Judgment, he also debuted second in a Keeneland maiden sprint during the Fall Meet.

#4-OWEN ALMIGHTY: First or second under the wire in all 6 career starts, he exits a dynamic, front-running Tampa Bay Derby victory (pictured). Trainer Brian Lynch has openly debated distance concerns, so the 1-1/8 miles trip will be his key spring test for the classics. Jose Ortiz, last week’s Arkansas Derby winner aboard Sandman, replaces brother Irad aboard this colt for the first time as Irad opts to partner with River Thames on Saturday. Jose Ortiz piloted Good Magic to the 2018 Blue Grass score.

#5-EAST AVENUE: Smashing, wire-to-wire winner of Keeneland’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity in October, a race that sent him to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as the favorite. Bombed at Del Mar in that one after a troubled start and arguably was more disappointing when 10th in his only start this year in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds. He’ll get blinkers on for what trainer Brendan Walsh hopes a Keeneland reawakening. Luan Machado replaces injured jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Owner Godolphin won this race in 2021 with Essential Quality.

#6-CHANCER McPATRICK: Grade 1 winner of last year’s Hopeful and Champagne, he was ineffective around 2 turns for the first time when sixth of 10 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. With blinkers, he handled 2 turns decently when second-best in the March 8Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby behind Blue Grass return rival Chancer McPatrick. Trainer Chad Brown has won the Blue Grass 2 of the past 3 seasons with Zandon (2022) and Sierra Leone (2024). He also scored with Good Magic (2018) and a fourth win would tie Todd Pletcher’s all-time race record. Brown and Prat teamed to win this race with Zandon.

#7-ADMIRAL DENNIS: Fair Grounds allowance winner finished out of the money in both stakes bids to date, the Gun Runner at FG and Oaklawn’s Rebel. The latter has been a productive race in recent weeks, springboarding the Louisiana Derby and Arkansas Derby winners. Trainer Brad Cox won this race in 2021 with Essential Quality and has had the runner-up in each of the past 2 years. Three-time Blue Grass-winning jockey Luis Saez (2016 Brody’s Cause, 2021 Essential Quality, 2023 Tapit Trice) rode this colt to his maiden victory and reclaims the mount for the first time in 2025.