Keeneland's $1-million GI Toyota Blue Grass Apr. 8 has attracted 141 nominees led by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's champion Forte (Violence) and recent GII Risen Star S. winner Angel of Empire (Classic Empire).
Click here for the list of the Toyota Blue Grass nominees; click here for their past performances.
“As Keeneland's signature race, the Toyota Blue Grass is the crown jewel in our Spring Meet stakes program,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “It's exciting to see so many of the nation's top sophomores and stables represented among the nominees, and we look forward to the outstanding competition on opening weekend. As always, we want to thank our horsemen for their strong support of Keeneland and the Toyota Blue Grass.”
The 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass is one of five graded stakes worth a combined $2.65 million to be run Apr. 8 on Keeneland's 11-race card, which has a first post time of 12:30 p.m. ET. Other stakes that day are the GI Madison S.; the GII Appalachian S.; the GII Shakertown S.; and the GIII Commonwealth S.
The Toyota Blue Grass is the ninth race with a 5:15 p.m. post. NBC will televise the race along with the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby and another Keeneland stakes from 4:30-6 p.m. The post position draw will be held Wednesday, Apr. 5.
The winner of the Toyota Blue Grass will earn 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, while the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishers receive 40 points, 30 points, 20 points and 10 points, respectively.
A total of 88 nominees to the Apr. 7 GI Central Bank Ashland S. is led by reigning juvenile champion filly D.J. Stable's Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and last weekend's GII Rachel Alexandra winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief).
Click here for a list of Central Bank Ashland nominees; click here for their past performances.
The Central Bank Ashland awards 100 points to the winner on the Road to the May 5 GI Kentucky Oaks. The next four finishers receive 40 points, 30 points, 20 points and 10 points, respectively.
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