Burnham Square Wins Blue Grass Stakes, Qualifying For The Kentucky Derby

Burnham Square won the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on Tuesday, April 8, at the Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky, earning a place in the upcoming Run for the Roses.

Burnham Square, trained by Ian Wilkes with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, came from behind to win the outside over favorites such as Owen Almighty and East Avenue. With the win in Lexington, Burnham Square qualified for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 in Louisville at Churchill Downs. Burnham Square's most recent race was a 4th-place finish at the 2025 Fountain of Youth (G2). 

The three-year-old thoroughbreds in the Blue Grass Stakes were vying for points to earn a place in the Kentucky Derby, traditionally held on the first Saturday in May. Other recent Kentucky Derby prep race winners heading into the May 3 showcase event include Journalism, Rodriguez, and Sandman. 

Known as the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The race always attracts online and in-person interest in Kentucky Derby betting.

The Blue Grass Stakes had been scheduled for Saturday, April 5, but was moved to Tuesday because of severe weather and flooding in the region. The race on Tuesday was a 1 /18-mile event on a dirt track with seven horses competing.

2025 Triple Crown Schedule

• The Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, May 3
• The Preakness Stakes: Pimlico, Baltimore, Maryland, May 17
• The Belmont Stakes: Saratoga, New York, June 7. Note: This race is being held in Saratoga as work continues on a  $550 million upgrade at Belmont Park in Elmont on Long Island, just east of New York City.

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