Burnham Square denies East Avenue late in Blue Grass

Burnham Square, a pleasant surprise who keeps on giving, confirmed his spot in next month's Kentucky Derby (G1) by winning the $1,225,625 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on Tuesday, denying long-time leader East Avenue with a last-second lunge.

Trailing the field of seven through the opening half-mile as East Avenue carved out the pace, Burnham Square gradually improved position until the stretch, when he unleashed a wide, grinding rally that proved just enough to edge East Avenue by a nose.

Brian Hernandez Jr. was aboard the Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred, who stopped the clock in 1:51.33 for nine furlongs over a fast main track. He paid $10.48 to win.

East Avenue, last fall's Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner, ran easily his best race since then in what was his first race with blinkers. He finished three parts of a length in front of River Thames, who had 2 1/4 lengths on Admiral Dennis. Render Judgment finished fifth, while disappointing efforts were turned in by Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Owen Almighty and multiple Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick. They finished in a dead heat for sixth.

Burnham Square debuted at Keeneland last October, finishing second in a six-furlong maiden claimer in which he was offered for $150,000. There were no takers, a bit of luck as he's since proven to be far more valuable.

A close third in his second start, at Churchill Downs, Burnham Square was equipped with blinkers for his third start, and it proved the right move as he jumped up to beat a maiden field at Gulfstream by nine lengths. He next defeated subsequent Florida Derby (G1) winner Tappan Street in the Holy Bull (G3), but was not as sharp last out when fourth in the Fountain of Youth (G2).

"He's not a robust horse. I wasn't as hard on him as I wanted to be," trainer Ian Wilkes said of Burnham Square's preparation for the Fountain of Youth.

Burnham Square will head to the Kentucky Derby at the top of the points leaderboard, having increased his total from 30 to 100. East Avenue jumped from 10 points to 60, while River Thames doubled his total from 25 to 50. Render Judgment increased his total from 24 to 39, while Admiral Dennis' total increased from seven to 17.

Bred in Kentucky, Burnham Square is a gelded son of Liam's Map and the Grade 2-winning Linda, by Scat Daddy.