Keeneland’s racetrack (America’s Best Racing/YouTube)
Carpe Diem is the winner of the $1 million, mile-and-an-eighth Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
For the first time in over 10 years, the race was ran on the dirt because Keeneland decided to abandon the synthetic surface.
Eight horses came into the race looking for a shot to crack the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field in May. Entering the race, Carpe Diem — who won the 2015 Tampa Bay Derby — was the favorite going off at 1/5, ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Todd Pletcher racing for WinStar Farm and Stonestreet Stables.
The 2nd highest betting choice was the No. 1 Ocho Ocho Ocho at 6/1, bred by 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and ridden by jockey Santiago Gonzalez. In addition to Ocho Ocho Ocho, Frammento and Classy Class were the only other two horses who were looked at as serious Kentucky Derby contenders entering the race.
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In the 77-year history of the race, 23 horses have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, which makes the Blue Grass Stakes the most successful prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Here is the order of finish:
Win: No. 5 Carpe Diem
Place: No. 8 Danzig Moon
Show: No. 1 Ocho Ocho Ocho
| Horse | Jockey | Win | Place | Show |
| (5) Carpe Diem | John R. Velazquez | $2.80 | $2.40 | $2.10 |
| (8) Danzig Moon | Julien R. Leparoux | $7.80 | $5.00 | |
| (1) Ocho Ocho Ocho | Santiago Gonzalez | $3.20 | ||
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Also ran: (6) Frammento , (7) Classy Class , (2) Gorgeous Bird , (4) Unrivaled , (3) Pepper Roani |
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| Track Condition: Fast | ||||
| Winning Time: 1:49.77 | ||||
For a replay of the Blue Grass Stakes, visit Keeneland’s website.
