April 3, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Blue Chip Blue Grass
A $750,000 top prize and up to 200 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points are up for grabs this Tuesday in the $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
While heavy rains moved Keeneland’s bustling Saturday card to Tuesday, inclement weather shouldn’t dampen the excitement around what projects to be a stellar day of racing led by the 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass.
Led by slight 5-2 opening line choice River Thames, the seven-horse field features several intriguing 3-year-old prospects.
The deep group includes Owen Almighty (3-1), who already secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, Breeders’ Futurity (G1) victor East Avenue (3-1), Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) winner Chancer McPatrick (7-2), Holy Bull (G3) champion Burnham Square (9-2).
Back in the Fold
Before the Blue Grass takes centre stage on Keeneland’s tantalizing Tuesday card, all eyes will be on the $650,000 Madison (G1).
Going off as race eight (two before the Blue Grass), the seven-furlong Madison for fillies and mares marks the return of multiple graded stakes winner Scylla.
The 5-year-old Bill Mott trainee has not raced since a fourth in November’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
In two lifetime starts at Keeneland, Scylla is 1-0-1. She captured her professional debut on Apr. 15, 2023, and finished third in the Doubledogdare (G3) nearly one year to the day later.
Ahead of her long-awaited return to the track, Scylla opens as the 8-5 choice.
Get Your Popcorn
The Santa Anita faithful is in for a treat this Saturday when a pair of precocious colts square off in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1).
The highly anticipated first meeting between expected Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism and last year’s champion juvenile colt Citizen Bull has the makings of an instant classic.
Our tale of the tape begins with Journalism.
The Michael McCarthy charge enters the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby off consecutive tallies in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and San Felipe (G2). Overall, the 3-year-old is 4: 3-0-1 with $338,880 banked.
Citizen Bull, on the other hand, has authored a 4-0-1 record through five starts, headlined by a score in November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). The three-time graded stakes winner has already earned north of $1.4 million.
Oddsmakers are giving the early edge to Journalism (6-5), who opens ahead of Citizen Bull (9-5).
Steady Climb
It feels like a matter of time before promising youngster Rodriguez (5-2) breaks through at the graded level.
Following impressive showings in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis (G3) and San Felipe (G2), the 3-year-old slots into post one for this Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Travelling to South Ozone, New York for his first start outside of California, Rodriguez has performed well against stiff competition, including the aforementioned Journalism (San Felipe), so far.
While the Mike Smith mount will need to find another gear to best top contenders Captain Cook (7-2) and Hill Road (9-2), Rodriguez’s recent trajectory supports another strong outing.
Full Tilt
*At time of publishing, Keeneland’s Sunday card will be raced as planned
Eclatant is a sprinter and a darn good one.
Undefeated in three starts around one turn, the flashy 3-year-old filly looks to make it four this Sunday in the $400,000 Beaumont (G2) at Keeneland.
After achieving graded stakes winner status with a hard-charging Forward Gal (G3) triumph last time out, Eclatant will line up against five foes, including G W’s Girl, from post one.
The latter strolls into the Beaumont off two straight stakes scores at Oaklawn Park (Mockingbird and Dixie Belle). Overall, G W’s Girl is 3-0-0 across four starts.
Eclatant still maintains the early advantage, opening as the 8-5 favorite.
