American Pharoah Tops 162 Blue Grass Nominees
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Champion American Pharoah headlines a strong roster of 162 horses nominated to Keeneland's $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) on Saturday, April 4.
The son of Pioneerof the Nile , the 2014 champion 2-year-old male of 2014, is among the 16 leading point-earners in the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying series of prep races. Others include Texas Red, winner of the 2014 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I); Dortmund, victor in the 2014 Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I) and 2015 Robert B. Lewis (gr. II); recent grade II winners International Star and Itsaknockout; and recent grade III winners Far From Over and Far Right.
Also nominated to the Blue Grass is Carpe Diem, winner of Keeneland's 2014 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (gr. I). Carpe Diem, Far From Over, and Itsaknockout are among the 24 nominees for multiple Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Todd Pletcher, who leads all trainers by number of nominees. Southern California-based trainer Bob Baffert is second with 17 horses nominated to the race.
Other prominent nominees to the Blue Grass are Champagne (gr. I) winner Daredevil, Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) winner El Kabeir, Lambholm South Holy Bull (gr. II) winner Upstart, Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) winner Ocho Ocho Ocho, and grade I-placed Mr. Z.
A complete list of Blue Grass nominees and their past performances, statistics, and a history of the race can be found at Keeneland.com/bluegrass.
For 2015, Keeneland increased the purse of the Blue Grass by $250,000 to make the stake worth $1 million and one of North America's richest preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, to be run May 2 at Churchill Downs. The Blue Grass also was moved to the first Saturday of the spring meet, which is four weeks before the Derby, and will be run the same day as the Central Bank Ashland (gr. I).
The 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass will be run on Keeneland's new dirt track, marking the first time in nine years the race will be held on dirt rather than Polytrack.
"We are very pleased with this deeply talented group of Blue Grass nominees," said Keeneland vice president of racing W.B. Rogers Beasley. "The enhancements we made to this year's race have generated excitement among horsemen and fans alike."
The winner of the Blue Grass earns 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the next three finishers receiving 40 points, 20 points and 10 points, respectively.
Post positions for the Toyota Blue Grass will be drawn Tuesday, March 31 at 4 p.m. ET.
Post time for the first race on the 11-race Blue Grass Day card is 12:35 p.m. Post time for the Blue Grass is set for approximately 6 p.m.
NBC Sports Network will provide live coverage of the Blue Grass from 5-7 p.m. ET as part of NBC Triple Crown Prep Day, which includes the TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby (both gr. I).