What is the Blue Grass Stakes?
The Blue Grass Stakes is a prominent horse racing event held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. It is a Grade 1 stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and serves as a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
When is the Blue Grass Stake held?
In 2024, the Blue Grass Stakes will take place on April 6th. This timing is crucial as it falls just weeks before the Kentucky Derby, making it a significant race for horses looking to qualify for the Derby.
Blue Grass Stakes Winners
Notable winners of the Ack Ack Stakes include Congaree (2002), Pants On Fire (2013), and Mr. Money (2019). These horses have gone on to achieve significant success in other prestigious races.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Wynstock | Kyle Frey | Bob Baffert | Edward C. Allred & Jack Liebau | 1:50.51 |
| 2023 | Reincarnate | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan | 1:48.72 |
| 2022 | High Connection | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud | 1:48.98 |
| 2021 | Classier | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, & Madaket Stables | 1:49.15 |
| 2020 | Uncle Chuck | Luis Saez | Bob Baffert | Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, & Paul Weitman | 1:47.65 |
The Blue Grass Stakes are important because they offer valuable points for the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This makes it a key race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds aiming to compete in the Derby. The race also attracts top-quality horses, making it a highly competitive and exciting event for horse racing enthusiasts and those involved in online horse betting..
