Overview

• Burnham Square clinched the Blue Grass Stakes with a dramatic stretch run, narrowly defeating East Avenue by a nose.
• The victory, delayed by heavy rain and flooding in Kentucky, earned Burnham Square 100 points, securing its place in the Kentucky Derby.
• Jockey Brian Hernandez skillfully guided Burnham Square from last place in the backstretch to a thrilling finish in 1:51.33 over 1 1/8 miles.
• Trainer Ian Wilkes expressed surprise at the win, noting Burnham Square's turnaround after a fourth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
• East Avenue, the race leader for much of the event, finished second, while River Thames, trained by Todd Pletcher, placed third.