2026 Blue Grass Stakes: date, Start Time, Post Postion, Odds, Horses, How To Watch Prep race for Kentucky Derby
Further Ado, trained by Louisville’s Brad Cox, is the 8-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $1.25 million, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland.
Further Ado drew the No. 6 post position in a field of nine for the Blue Grass, a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
The Blue Grass will offer 200 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, with 100 going to the winner and 50 to the runner-up.
The $1.25 million, 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls drew a field of nine, including Rebel Stakes winner Class President, and historically has been a key prep race for the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
Twenty-three Blue Grass Stakes participants went on to win the run for the roses, including legends such as Whirlaway (1941), Northern Dancer (1964), and Spectacular Bid (1979). The Blue Grass ranks second behind the Florida Derby, which has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners, as a Kentucky Derby steppingstone; however, the most recent Blue Grass runner to go on to Derby glory was Street Sense in 2007.
When & Where is the 2026 Blue Grass Stakes?
Three-year-old racehorses take center stage in the spring, especially in Kentucky nearing the first Saturday in May. Keeneland’s spring meet begins Friday, April 3, and the marquee race of the meet will be held Saturday, April 4, with the 102nd running of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.
How To Watch the Blue Grass Stakes 2026?
TV Broadcast:
NBCSN (Main Channel)
Streaming Options:
FanDuel TV
Peacock (may carry selected races)
AqueductRacetrack.com / NYRA App (free live stream for some races)
2026 Blue Grass Stakes at a Glance
Post time: 6:22 p.m.
Date: April, 4th Saturday
Location, Keeneland in Lexington.
Purse: $1.25 million.
Grade: 1. Distance: 1 1/8 miles.
Jockey weight: 123 pounds.
TV/livestream: NBCSN, FanDuel TV, Peacock.
Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place
2026 Blue Grass Stake Field, Post Positions, Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Odds
1. Talkin, Joel Rosario, Danny Gargan, 12-1
2. Class President, John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 3-1
3. Great White, Alex Achard, John Ennis, 15-1
4. Reagan’s Honor, Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux, 5-2
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5. Creole Chrome, Tyler Gaffalione, Joe Sharp, 8-1
6. Further Ado, Irad Ortiz Jr., Brad Cox, 8-5
7. Ocelli, Joe Ramos, Whit Beckman, 30-1
8. Moonstrocity, Jose Morelos, Jena Antonucci, 30-1
9. Ottinho, Flavien Prat, Chad Brown, 20-1
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2026 Ashland Stakes: date, Start Time, Post Postion, Odds, Horses, How To Watch Prep race for Kentucky Derby
Zany, an unbeaten filly trained by Todd Pletcher, headlines the field for Friday’s $750,000, Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland on Opening Day at Keeneland.
The Ashland is a key prep race for the Kentucky Oaks, set for May 1 at Churchill Downs, and will offer 200 qualifying points, including 100 to the winner and 50 to the runner-up.
A daughter of American Pharoah, Zany improved to 3 for 3 in her career with a victory in the Suncoast Stakes on Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs. She’s the No. 1-ranked 3-year-old filly in the United States according to the Daily Racing Form and is the 4-5 morning-line favorite for the Ashland.
Pletcher has won three of the past five runnings of the Ashland with Malathaat (2021), Nest (2022) and Leslie’s Rose (2024).
When & Where is the 2026 Ashland Stakes?
The first Friday in May at Churchill Downs will be in focus on the first Friday in April at Keeneland as the opening-day Central Bank Ashland Stakes at the Lexington track will add some clarity to the Longines Kentucky Oaks outlook.
How To Watch the Ashland Stakes 2026?
TV Broadcast:
Livestream/TV: All races can be watched for free at Keeneland.com, the Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube channel. FanDuel TV will have live TV streaming coverage.
2026 Ashland Stake Field, Post Positions, Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Odds
1. Nycon, Jaime Torres, Whit Beckman, 20-1
2. Percy’s Bar, Luan Machado, Ben Colebrook, 7-2
3. Zany, Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher, 4-5
4. French Friction, Cristian Torres, Mark Casse, 9-2
5. Omaha Bay, Javier Castellano, Ian Wilkes, 12-1
6. Hollybygolly, Tyler Gaffalione, Rodolphe Brisset, 20-1
7. Star Actress, Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott, 6-1
2026 Ashland Stakes at Galnce, start-time, post positions, odds
Post time: 5:16 p.m.
Date: 3rd April, Friday
Location: Keeneland in Lexington.
Purse: $750,000.
Grade: 1. Distance: 1 1/16 miles.
Jockey weight: 121 pounds.
TV/livestream: FanDuel TV, Keeneland.com.
Kentucky Oaks qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place.
Notable winners: Nest (2022), Malathaat (2021), Monomoy Girl (2018), Lovely Maria (2015), Silverbulletday (1999), Inside Information (1994), Go For Wand (1990), Princess Rooney (1983), Doubledogdare (1956), Bewitch (1948).
First held: 1936
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