Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes restored to Grade 1 status for 98th running in 2022
Keeneland’s signature Kentucky Derby prep race, the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, has been elevated to Grade 1 status for 2022, the track announced Friday.
The longtime Grade 1 race was downgraded to Grade 2 in 2017 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and has remained there until now.
The Blue Grass Stakes for 3-year-olds is worth 170 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby system, with the winner receiving 100 qualifying points.
The 2022 race will be the 98th running of the $1 million race.
“We are thrilled that the Toyota Blue Grass has been restored to Grade 1 status,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “This is a goal we’ve worked toward for several years.”
In recent years, the Blue Grass has been won by juvenile champions Essential Quality (2021) and Good Magic (2018) and by Grade 1 winners and millionaires Vekoma (2019) and Art Collector (2020).
The early nomination deadline for the Blue Grass is Feb. 19.
Four other Keeneland stakes also received upgrades.
Two Fall Meet stakes for 3-year-olds were elevated: the Bryan Station, held at 1 mile on the grass, was promoted to Grade 3 status, while the Perryville at 7 furlongs became a Listed stakes.
Two Spring Meet stakes, the $200,000 Palisades and $200,000 TVG Limestone, were promoted to Listed status. Both stakes are for 3-year-olds at 5½ furlongs on the grass.
