Familiar competition. Burnham Square, East Avenued, Owen Almighty and Render Judgement are all fresh off of Keeneland's Blue Grass Stakes. Next up, the 151st Kentucky Derby!
Posted on by bluegrassblog@thoroughbredu.com

Churchill Chatter: The Kentucky Derby Discussion

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East Avenue raced in Keeneland's Blue Grass Stakes.
East Avenue raced in Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes.
East Avenue also enjoyed racing at Keeneland in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity.
East Avenue also enjoyed racing at Keeneland in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity.
East Avenue raced in Keeneland's Blue Grass Stakes.
East Avenue raced in Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes.

The Road To The Kentucky Derby starts and stops at Churchill Downs. Thoroughbred U has been “Back In The Saddle” https://www.thoroughbredu.com/back-in-the-saddle/ since the Iroquois Stakes started the 2025 Kentucky Derby prep season. Following all of the qualifying races and writing about most has been very enjoyable. Now, it is finally time to see who is the best of the best. Twenty thoroughbreds will race in the $5 million dollar, Grade I, Kentucky Derby on May 3rd, 2025.

Render Judgement raced twice at Keeneland. He is Kentucky Derby ready.
Render Judgement raced twice at Keeneland. He is Kentucky Derby ready.
Render Judgement rides it on home!
Render Judgement rides it on home!
Render Judgment finished fifth in the Blue Grass. Now he wants a win in the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Render Judgment finished fifth in the Blue Grass. Now he wants a win in the 151st Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby is race 12 on a card of 14, posting at 6:57 PM ET. The dirt track is 1 and 1/4 miles. This year, all entries are colts with Burnham Square being gelded. Here are the 3 year-old contenders as listed by post/horse (origin of breeding) Sire – Dam/jockey/trainer/owner/and morning-line odds/and KY Derby prep points: (see UPDATES)

  1. Citizen Bull (KY) Into Mischief – No Joke/Martin Garcia/Bob Baffert/SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan/20-1/71.25
  2. Neoequos (FL) Neolithic – Bold Birdie/Flavien Prat Luis Saez/Saffie A. Joseph, Jr./C2 Racing Stable, LLC, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, LLC, Stefania Farms, LLC, Ken T. Reimer, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch/30-1/40
  3. Final Gambit (KY) Not This Time – Pachinko/Luan Machado/Brad H. Cox/Juddmonte/30-1/100
  4. Rodriguez (KY) Authentic – Cayala/Mike E. Smith/Bob Baffert/SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan/12-1/121.25 SCRATCHED
  5. American Promise (KY) Justify – Tapella/Nik Juarez/D. Wayne Lukas/BC Stables, LLC/30-1/55
  6. Admire Daytona (JPN) Drefong – Ice Pastel/Christophe Lemaire/Yukihiro Kato/Junko Kondo/30-1/100
  7. Luxor Cafe (KY) American Pharoah – Mary’s Follies/Joao Moreira/Noriyuki Hori/Koichi Nishikawa/15-1/70
  8. Journalism (KY) Curlin – Mopotism/Umberto Rispoli/Micheal W. McCarthy/Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith/3-1/122.50
  9. Burnham Square (KY) Liam’s Map – Linda/Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr./Ian R. Wilkes/Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC/12-1/130
  10. Grande (KY) Curlin – Journey Home/John R. Velazquez/Todd A. Pletcher/Repole Stable/20-1/50
  11. Flying Mohawk (KY) Karakontie – Bonbons Fleur/Joseph D. Ramos/D. Whitworth Beckman/Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, LLC and Kaleta Racing/30-1/50
  12. East Avenue (KY) Medaglia d’Oro – Dance Music/Manuel Franco/Brendan P. Walsh/Godolphin, LLC/20-1/60
  13. Publisher (KY) American Pharoah – Indian Pride/Irad Ortiz, Jr./Steven M. Asmussen/Gus King and The Estate of Brereton C. Jones/30-1/60
  14. Tiztastic (KY) Tiz the Law – Keesha/Joel Rosario/Steven M. Asmussen/Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith/20-1/119
  15. Render Judgement (KY) Blame – Barbara Gordon/Julien R. Leparoux/Kenneth McPeek/Baccari Racing Stable, LLC, Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., MJM Racing, Rocket Ship Racing and Magdalena Racing/30-1/39
  16. Coal Battle (KY) Coal Front – Wolfblade/Juan P. Vargas/Lonnie Briley/Norman Stables, LLC/30-1/95
  17. Sandman (KY) Tapit – Distorted Music/Jose L. Ortiz/Mark E. Casse/D.J. Stable, LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables/6-1/129
  18. Sovereignty (KY) Into Mischief – Crowned/Junior Alvarado/William I. Mott/Godolphin, LLC/5-1/110
  19. Chunk of Gold (KY) Preservationist – Play for Gold/Jareth Loveberry/Ethan W. West/Terry L. Stephens/30-1/75
  20. Owen Almighty (KY) Speightstown – Tempers Rising/Javier Castellano/Brian A. Lynch/Flying Dutchmen/30-1/65
  21. also eligible: Baeza (KY) McKinzie – Puca/Flavien Prat/John A. Shirreffs/C R K Stable, LLC and Grandview Equine/12-1/37.50 DRAWN IN

I’m hoping this Churchill chatter helps you define your choice. There is so much information in the Kentucky Derby discussion. I am still making up my mind. I have a clear cut favorite in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks. I’m cheering for Quietside trained by John Alexander Ortiz. Let me know who you are rooting for and where you are watching from? Additionally, I’ll keep writing as the remainder of the Triple Crown plays out too. Thanks for checking in and visit my page again soon.

Owen Almighty is mighty ready for the Kentucky Derby!
Owen Almighty is mighty ready for the Kentucky Derby!
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