SportsLine horse racing writer Gene Menez reveals his Blue Grass Stakes 2025 picks after evaluating the contenders
Seven thoroughbreds will compete at Keeneland for the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes, which has a post time of 5:52 p.m. ET on Tuesday. This Kentucky Derby prep race was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was postponed due to inclement weather. Now, 2025 Blue Grass Stakes horses like Burnham Square and Chancer McPatrick have the opportunity to punch their ticket to the Run for the Roses. River Thames is the 5-2 favorite in the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes odds, while East Avenue and Owen Almighty are 3-1. With several talented three-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Tuesday, you’ll want to see what SportsLine writer Gene Menez has to say before making any 2025 Blue Grass Stakes picks or horse racing predictions.
A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez covered an array of sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for almost 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI’s handicapper for the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
In 2015, while writing for Sports on Earth, Menez accurately gave out the Kentucky Derby superfecta (American Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund and Frosted), which paid $1,268.20 for $2. Then in 2017, he tweeted out his Kentucky Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit the Pick 4, which paid almost $6,900 on a $1 bet.
In May of last year, Menez gave out 18-1 Mystik Dan as a live longshot in the Kentucky Derby. Last November, he crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday for a $5,303 score.
For Tuesday, Menez has handicapped the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes field, made his picks and constructed his best bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2025 Blue Grass Stakes predictions
One surprise: Menez is fading River Thames, even though he is the betting favorite at 5-2. This Todd Pletcher-trained colt has two wins in three starts, and was close to making it three until finishing second at the Fountain of Youth Stakes. In that race, River Thames was the leader with a furlong to go before Sovereignty took over. He still earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure (95), but now faces a tough draw at the Blue Grass Stakes 2025.
“I like his forward running style, but this son of Maclean’s Music is a question to get the extra distance,” Menez told SportsLine. You can see all of Menez’s 2025 Blue Grass Stakes bets here.
How to make 2025 Blue Grass Stakes picks
Instead, Menez’s top pick is a horse whose pedigree suggests he should benefit from the added distance. He is including this horse in his 2025 Blue Grass Stakes bets, and so should you. He’s sharing which horses to back at SportsLine.
So what horse wins the Blue Grass Stakes 2025? And how has Menez constructed his wagers? Visit SportsLine to see Menez’s picks for the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes, all from the expert who just nailed the Florida Derby, and find out.
2025 Blue Grass Stakes odds, contenders, post positions
| Horse | Odds | Picks |
| River Thames | 5-2 | SEE PICKS |
| Render Judgement | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Burnham Square | 4-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Owen Almighty | 3-1 | SEE PICKS |
| East Avenue | 3-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Chancer McPatrick | 7-2 | SEE PICKS |
| Admiral Dennis | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
