Burnham Square Claims Victory in Blue Grass Stakes, Set for Kentucky Derby

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The field for the 151st Kentucky Derby is nearly complete as Burnham Square secured a victory in the $1.25 million Grade I Blue Grass Stakes on April 9 at Keeneland. The race, originally scheduled for April 6, was delayed due to severe weather conditions in central Kentucky.

Burnham Square, who rallied from last place, finished strong to overtake pacesetter East Avenue in the final stretch. River Thames finished closely in third, contributing to the qualifying standings for the prestigious Run for the Roses set for May 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

With a total of 130 points, Burnham Square now leads the qualifying leaderboard, just ahead of Sandman, the winner of the Arkansas Derby. Following closely in third place is Journalism, who boasts a strong record as well. These rankings are crucial, as they determine 17 of the 20 available spots for the Kentucky Derby. Three additional spots are allocated for international runners, all of which have been filled this year.

Significant international representation includes horses from Wathnan Racing, led by the Amir of Qatar, and Godolphin, under the Ruler of Dubai. Notably, the trainer Bob Baffert, aiming for a record seventh Derby victory, has two contenders in the running, while another Hall of Famer, Steve Asmussen, also has two horses competing.

The final race that could influence the Derby standings is the $400,000 Grade III Lexington Stakes, scheduled for April 12 at Keeneland. However, Baffert and his team are anticipating potential withdrawals that might allow for additional contenders to slide into the field.

The post position draw will take place on the evening of April 26, finalizing the lineup before the Derby.

Here is the current field for the $3 million Kentucky Derby, listed in order of preference:

1. Burnham Square – Won the Blue Grass at Keeneland

2. Sandman – Won the Arkansas Derby

3. Journalism – Won the Santa Anita Derby

4. Rodriguez – Bob Baffert – Won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct

5. Tiztastic – Steve Asmussen – Won the Louisiana Derby

6. Tappan Street – Won the Florida Derby

7. Sovereignty – Second in the Florida Derby

8. Final Gambit – Brad Cox – Won the Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway Park

9. Coal Battle – Lonnie Briley – Won the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park

10. Chunk of Gold – Ethan West – Second in the Louisiana Derby

11. Citizen Bull – Bob Baffert – Won the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile

12. Owen Almighty – Won the Tampa Bay Derby

13. East Avenue – Brendan Walsh – Second in the Blue Grass

14. Publisher – Steve Asmussen – Second in the Arkansas Derby

15. American Promise – Won the Virginia Derby

16. River Thames – Third in the Blue Grass

17. Flood Zone – Brad Cox – Won the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct

18. Luxor Café – Noriyuki Hori – Won the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby

19. Admire Datona – Yukihiro Kato – Won the UAE Derby in Dubai

20. Heart of Honor – Jamie Osbourne – Second in the UAE Derby

As needed:

21. Flying Mohawk – Whit Beckman

22. Grande – Todd Pletcher

23. Madaket Road – Bob Baffert

24. Built

25. Neoequos – Saffie Joseph Jr.