They’ll Be Flat Out Trying To Chase Essential Quality

The Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes is a must-see race Saturday at Keeneland and one runner stands out above the rest.

Essential Quality heads all other runners in online betting markets and he looks to have this field at his mercy. However, there is never a sure thing in racing, so it’s always wise to cover your bets.

We look at the best thoroughbreds back in the 2021 Blue Grass Stakes, which has major implications for the Kentucky Derby Odds later this season.

2021 Blue Grass Stakes Race Details

Time: Saturday, April 4, 5:30 p.m.
Track: Keeneland Race Course
Surface: Dirt
Distance: 1⅛ Miles
Stake: $800,000
Where to watch: NBCSN

2021 Blue Grass Stakes Field

A field of nine takes its place in the Blue Grass Stakes. Essential Quality is the odds-on favorite.

1. Hidden Stash

Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds
Odds: 20-1

2. Untreated

Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Record: 2 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Odds: 8-1

3. Highly Motivated

Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third

Odds: 7-2

4. Essential Quality

Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
Record: 4 starts – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Odds: 3-5

5. Rombauer

Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Odds: 15-1

6. LeBlon

Trainer: Paulo Lobo
Jockey: Albin Jimenez
Record: 5 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Odds: 30-1

7. Hush of a Storm

Trainer: William Morey
Jockey: Santiago Gonzalez
Record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Odds: 15-1

8. Sittin On Go

Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Odds: 30-1

9. Keepmeinmind

Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: David Cohen
Record: 5 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third

Odds: 8-1

Blue Grass Stakes Top Pick: Essential Quality

There is a reason why Essential Quality is the top pick in the online racebook. The Godolphin-owned colt by Tapit owns a perfect record and that could be extended.

He scored wins in the Breeders’ Futurity, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and his first 3-year-old result came in the Southwest Stakes when scoring by 4¼ lengths with ease.

The Kentucky Derby favorite is an awesome athlete and although he hasn’t been exposed to much yet, this could merely be the final preparation before his May 1 target.

“He’s a very good workhorse,” trainer Brad Cox told Paulick Report. “They worked five-eighths from the half-mile pole in, I think, a minute and two-fifths, (galloped) out in 1:14, well in hand. It was exactly what we wanted to see.”

We’re expecting Luis Saez to take Essential Quality to the front. Bettors see many favorites take bad luck out of the equation by pushing forward, and there isn’t much speed in this race.

Essential Quality runs at short odds, but he is well worth having on your ticket.

Blue Grass Stakes Best Value: Highly Motivated

The Chad Brown-trained runner will likely sit off the pace and try to finish over the top of them.

He owns two wins and two placings from four starts, so he has been right around the mark throughout his entire career, which includes some classy performances.

He won the Nyquist Stakes by 6½ lengths at Keeneland and that came in a track record time of 1:14.99. It shows he has the ability to run quick times when given the right run in transit.

Highly Motivated comes from a stable that won the 2018 Blue Grass Stakes with Good Magic, who subsequently placed in the Kentucky Derby. Brown knows how to train winners of this race and that bodes well.

Odds of 7-2 shouldn’t be overlooked on an each-way basis.

Blue Grass Stakes Upset Runner: Rombauer

Rombauer comes from California with a solid reputation and a last-start win in the El Camino Real Derby.

It wasn’t the hardest race to win, but it was a nice return to racing as a three-year-old and it bodes well for the Blue Grass Stakes.

Fuel 🆙

Unbeaten @Breederscup champ Essential Quality draws 4 for the Bluegrass at @Keenelandracing on Saturday.

Draw:
1️⃣ Hidden Stash
2️⃣ Untreated
3️⃣ Highly Motivated
4️⃣ Essential Quality
5️⃣ Rombauer
6️⃣ Leblon
7️⃣ Hush of a Storm
8️⃣ Sit-in On Go
9️⃣ Keepmeinmind pic.twitter.com/hC85C61tbr

World Horse Racing (@WHR) March 30, 2021

He finished second in the American Pharoah Stakes last year before running fifth behind Essential Quality in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Can he turn the tables on the favorite? Probably not, but he could be a handy price to finish second or third.