Toyota Blue Grass Stakes

Date: April 04, 15
Post:
Purse: $750,000
Grade: I
Type: Thoroughbred
Distance: 1 1/8 Miles
Age: 3 Year Olds
Sex:
Turf: Polytrack

Notes
The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade I horse race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky. The horses participating have to cover a distance of 9 furlongs on the Polytrack. This grade I racing event is open to three year old American bred racing horses. It currently offers a purse value of US$750,000. It was named after Bluegrass region of Kentucky, characterized by grass having bluish-green shades, which is known as the "heart" of the thoroughbred racing industry. First run at the Kentucky Association track in Lexington in 1911, the Blue Grass has, from its inception, served as an important prep race for the Kentucky Derby. At the Association track, the Blue Grass was staged from 1911 through 1914 and from 1919 through 1926. The race was revived at Keeneland in the spring of 1937. In 1943-1944, the Blue Grass was renewed as a part of the Keeneland-at-Churchill Downs meeting. In 1945, the Blue Grass was run as a part of the Churchill Downs meeting. Today it is part of the Keeneland program.