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This photograph features Dust Commander training at Keeneland ahead of 1970 Blue Grass Stakes. After his first place finish at the Blue Grass, Dust Commander would repeat with a first place finish at the Kentucky Derby.
Dust Commander, Mike Manganello up, after their 1970 Blue Grass Stakes win. Sent off at 35-1 odds on a sloppy track, Dust Commander edged out the competition to claim the Blue Grass in his third start at Keeneland that spring. The Derby was the colt’s fourth start in 28 days. As a long shot in the 1970 Run for the Roses, Dust Commander won the Derby by 5 lengths on an off track, paying $32.60.
1972 Blue Grass winner Riva Ridge in the winner’s circle with owner Penny Chenery, trainer Lucien Laurin, and groom Eddie Sweat. A Triple Crown hopeful, Riva Ridge won the 1972 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but could not take the Preakness on a sloppy track.
This photograph shows Master Derby, with Darrel McHargue up, post 1975 Blue Grass Stakes. Master Derby's win in 1975 gave Golden Chance Farm and Racing Hall of Fame jockey McHargue their first and only Blue Grass wins.
Half-brothers Foolish Pleasure (left) and Honest Pleasure (right) in the stables before Honest Pleasure’s 1976 Blue Grass win. The Champion Two-Year-Old Male won the Flamingo Stakes by 11 lengths in late February and the Florida Derby in early April before entering the Blue Grass field as the favorite for trainer LeRoy Jolley and owner Bertram R. Firestone.
This photograph captures the start of the 1976 Blue Grass Stakes. Honest Pleasure, driven by Braulio Baeza, would capture the victory and go on to a second place showing in the Kentucky Derby.
This photograph captures an infield view of a packed grandstand and apron during the running of the 1976 Blue Grass Stakes won by Honest Pleasure. The colt, piloted by Braulio Baeza, would finish second in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. on the LeRoy Jolley-trained colt For the Moment after their 1977 Blue Grass Stakes win as the crowd looks on from the grandstand.
The 1977 victory was Jolley’s second consecutive Blue Grass win, having notched his first with Honest Pleasure in 1976. Jolley also trained the 1962 winner Ridan, who was co-owned by his father, Moody Jolley, and piloted by Manuel Ycaza.
This Winner's Circle photograph features For the Moment and his connections after claiming the 1977 Blue Grass Stakes. The shot captures Angel Cordero Jr. in mid signature dismount.
This photograph captures Future Racing Hall of Famer Alydar, Jorge Velasquez up in Calumet silks, presented to Lucille Parker Wright Markey (third from the right) and Admiral Eugene Markey (far right) before the horse’s triumph in the 1978 Blue Grass Stakes. Melinda Bena, Joseph Bena, and Robert McGoodwin join the Markeys on the apron.
Trained by John Veitch, Alydar gave Veitch his only Blue Grass Stakes win. John’s father, Sylvester Veitch, trained back-to-back Blue Grass winners in 1950 (Mr. Trouble) and 1951 (Mameluke).
This photograph captures an eager crowd of racing fans taking in Alydar, Jorge Velasquez up, at the 1978 Blue Grass Stakes.
Alydar, Jorge Velasquez up, before his definitive 13-length win over Raymond Earl in the 1978 Blue Grass Stakes. The future top sire in North America boasted a 14-9-1 career record from 26 starts and earnings in excess of $950,000.
Spectacular Bid arriving at the Blue Grass Airport for Keeneland’s 1979 Spring Meet after nine back-to-back wins with press looking on to capture the moment. The Hawksworth Farm favorite did not disappoint in the Blue Grass. Ronnie Franklin piloted the colt to a definitive win just weeks before the pair claimed two of the three Triple Crown legs with their Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes victories.
The sensational Spectacular Bid, with groom Herman Hall and trainer Bud Delp at Keeneland in April 1979.
The heavily favored colt was piloted by Ronnie Franklin to an impressive 7-length victory over Lot o’ Gold in the 1979 Blue Grass Stakes. The future Racing Hall of Famer paid $2.10 - the smallest straight payoff in Blue Grass history.
This photograph captures Spectacular Bid, with Ronald Franklin up, being led to the winner's circle in the 1979 Blue Grass Stakes.
This photograph showcases Spectacular Bid, with Ron Franklin up, post race as fans watch from the stands at the 1979 Blue Grass Stakes.