Blue Grass Stakes 2024 Picks

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Keeneland on Saturday, April 6, and I have included Blue Grass Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 1 event for 3-year-olds has a $1 million purse and the eleven entrants will be journeying 1 1/8 miles on the main track. The Blue Grass is the 10th race on April 6 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (100-50-25-15-10). 

Blue Grass Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Top Conor was solid from the inside post in his flat mile bow at Gulfstream. Chad Brown originally intended to run this one in the Wood Memorial, but he was afraid that he would get stuck on the also-eligible list in an oversubscribed race. This is quality field and the $1 million Twirling Candy colt figures to save ground stalking the pace. Brown thinks that this one has the potential to be a Preakness horse.

Dornoch won his last three starts including back-to-back Grade 2 scores in the Remsen and Fountain of Youth. He rode the speed bias to victory in the Remsen, and controlled the pace as the overwhelming favorite vs. four foes in the Fountain of Youth. He should be all over the pace under Luis Saez. 

Just a Touch was strong as the 1-2 favorite in his sprint debut in the slop at Fair Grounds. I made him my top choice in the Gotham (G3) on March 2, and he stalked wide and landed the place in an okay effort. His tactical speed should lead to a clean trip, and Brad Cox’s Justify colt has upside. 

Sierra Leone is a $2.3 million Gun Runner colt. He rallied to win his flat mile bow last fall, and came from far back to miss by a nose in the Remsen. He passed early runner Dornoch in the Remsen, but that rival came back on him and just prevailed. He added blinkers and rallied to win the Risen Stat at 1 1/8 miles as the favorite on Feb. 17. Tyler Gaffalione got to know him last time and he has been targeting this race for weeks. 

Encino rallied from an outer post to miss by a neck in his route bow at Turfway Park. He wired the field at 1 1/6 miles second time out, and stalked wide and won the John Battaglia Memorial on March 2. Flavien Prat rides for Brad Cox and a wide stalking trip is expected. This is his first attempt on conventional dirt.

The Blue Grass field also includes Be You, Seize the Grey, Good Money, Lat Long, Epic Ride, and Mugatu. 

Blue Grass 2024 Picks

The Blue Grass is my 31st video on the road to Kentucky Derby 2024, and my top choices have eleven wins, five runner-up finishes, and five show finishes. I will cover each points race on the Kentucky Derby trail. Check out my Blue Grass Stakes 2024 picks video below.