Tipsheet: 2026 Blue Grass Stakes

A fine field of nine three-year-olds will run 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Keeneland in Saturday’s $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five across the line with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. 

Blue Grass Stakes Picks

• #6 Further Ado
• #2 Class President
• #4 Reagan’s Honor
• #3 Great White

Blue Grass Stakes Wagers

• $25 win #6 Further Ado
• 50-cent superfecta 6 with 2,3,4 with 2,3,4 all 

Blue Grass Stakes Contenders

#1 TALKIN: Grade-1 placed colt tired in the stretch of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his seasonal debut and is eligible to move forward in his second off the shelf for Danny Gargan. The $600,000 son of Good Magic is well placed on the rail to save ground early and could be well placed at the top of the lane with Joel Rosario retaining the ride. 

#2 CLASS PRESIDENT: Rebel (G2) victor has been first or second in each of his three lifetime runs to date for Todd Pletcher. The bay son of Uncle Mo has the speed to be in the mix from the break and is an obvious win threat in his local bow with John Velazquez in the saddle. 

#3 GREAT WHITE: John Battaglia Memorial S. hero toppled the talented Fulleffort in securing his first black-type win last time and will make his dirt debut on this occasion. The John Ennis pupil gives the impression of a horse that will appreciate the added ground on Saturday, and he will be in the mix late if he takes to the surface change while going on dirt for the first time. Regular pilot Alex Achard stays in the silks. 

#4 REAGAN’S HONOR: Cherie DeVaux trainee is two-for-two since moving to route races and has improved his Brisnet Speed rating in every lifetime run. The dark bay son of Honor A. P. possesses good early speed and a nice closing kick, and the colt is bred to handle this distance with ease, as well. Jose Ortiz will ride the prospect. 

#5 CREOLE CHROME: Cajun-bred from the Joe Sharp shedrow, aced his route test last time at Fair Grounds, and will face a stiff class hike facing open foes in his graded debut. The chestnut son of Volatile can win from on or off the pace, and he figures to receive a good stalking voyage throughout the event with Tyler Gaffalione taking the reins. 

#6 FURTHER ADO: Top choice commenced his juvenile season with a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) for Brad Cox, and the Spendthrift color bearer kicked off his sophomore season with a runner-up result in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The $550,000 son of Gun Runner broke his maiden by an eye-popping 20 lengths on this oval in 2025, and he will be formidable with expected improvement in his second run of the year. Irad has the call and will have the chestnut close from the opening bell.  

#7 OCELLI: Interesting longshot is moving forward in advance of the feature and will race with blinkers off for Whit Beckman. The bay son of Connect has been sixth in two stakes tries lately, but he can be a late factor if the equipment change aids his running. The closing type will make one run in the stretch beneath Joseph Ramos. 

#8 MOONSTROCITY: Tiz the Law colt was third in his first run on the dirt at Gulfstream Park most recently and would be a major surprise facing this cast as a maiden. 

#9 OTTINHO: Chad Brown trainee was a distant third in the Withers S. in his latest appearance and drew widest of all for his first run on the grounds. The Three Chimneys homebred has yet to prove that he is capable of winning at this level, and the Quality Road colt will need major improvement to upset the group with Flavien Prat in the irons.