$1.25 Million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Big Step Towards Kentucky Derby

Further Ado is the morning line favorite and our top pick in the 2026 Blue Grass Stakes

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Julie Clark

The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 4 is one of the last major stepping stones towards Kentucky Derby 152. Over the years, this race has seen more than its fair share of highly accomplished Thoroughbreds. Names like Bull Lea, Northern Dancer, Riva Ridge, Alydar, Spectacular Bid, Strike The Gold, Holy Bull, Essential Quality, and Sierra Leone decorate the list of winners. The last time this race produced a Kentucky Derby champion was back in 1991 (Strike The Gold), but that doesn’t make this race any less important in 2026. Recent times have seen a resurgence in the race partly because of the switch from a synthetic surface back to dirt in 2015 and also the increased purse size has been a major attractor. Sierra Leone (2024) and Good Magic (2018) both finished second in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Blue Grass, while Zandon (2022), and Essential Quality (2021) were both third in the Derby after their wins at Keeneland on the first Saturday in April. This year’s field also boasts talent and nine runners are scheduled to line up and race for a spot in the gates on the first Saturday in May. Let’s take a look at the entrants who will be competing at a mile and an eighth for their share of $1.25 million. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line provided. The Blue Grass is carded as race 11 with an expected post time of 6:22 pm eastern.

1 Talkin (Danny Gargan, Joel Rosario 10-1)-His pappy Good Magic was the man at Keeneland in 2018. This will just be his second start at three as his only other 2026 race was a fifth place in Tampa Bay Derby on March 7. Comes in off a bullet work but likely neds to say a lot more if he hopes to do something here.

2 Class President (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez 7-2)-Trainer has won this race more than anyone (4) and he’s got a live runner here. Son of Uncle Mo has two wins and a second in three lifetime starts. His win in Rebel Stakes was quite nice and he should get plenty of votes here as a play in all your exotics.

3 Great White (John Ennis, Alex Achard 15-1)- Son of Volatile has two wins in three career starts but all have come on synthetic track at Turfway. He won John Battaglia Memorial last out and might be worth a play here at a price.

4 Reagan’s Honor (Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz 5-2)- Coming in off back-to-back wins at Fair Grounds, but this is his first start in Stakes company. Jock knows how to win, but this is much deeper water for this son of Honor A.P.

5 Creole Chrome (Joe Sharp, Tyler Gafflione 8-1)-Louisiana-bred has won three of four lifetime starts but all have come at Fair Grounds in his back yard. Could be on the lead early and might be dangerous if left alone. Our across the board price play in this one.

6 Further Ado (Brad Cox, Irad Ortiz Jr. 8-5)- Barn has been hot of late in the three-year-old division and this son of Gun Runner looks to be coming in right. Was second in Tampa Bay Derby in his only start at three but has been in the money in four of five career starts. Trainer/jockey combo is one of the best and he gets the nod for us in this one.

7 Ocelli (D Whitworth Beckman, Joe Ramos 30-1)- Winless in five career starts and is coming in off back-to-back sixth place finishes in Sam F Davis Stakes and Virginia Derby. A maiden has won this race at that was Irap at odds of 31 to 1 back in 2017. Wouldn’t wager that it happens again this year.

8 Moonstrocity (Jena Antonucci, Jose Morelos 30-1)- Son of Tiz The Law is winless in two career starts. Finished third last out and could be a part of the early pace. Huge ask here but is there a man in the moon? Not likely, but we just don’t know for sure as it is a horse race.

9 Ottinho (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat 20-1)-Trainer was supposed to have the favorite here but injury bug bit Paladin. This son of Quality Road has a win and two thirds in three lifetime starts. Not a likely winner, but if you get 20-1 on this jockey/trainer combo my advice is play it across the board.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

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