2025 Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby: Frank Taddeo’s Expert Betting Previews

Top Picks and Winning Wagers from a Vegas Insider Who’s Nailed 7 of the Last 13 Kentucky Derbys

2025 Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby: Frank Taddeo’s Expert Betting Previews Top Picks and Winning Wagers from a Vegas Insider Who’s Nailed 7 of the Last 13 Kentucky Derbys Get ready for a blockbuster Saturday, April […]

Get ready for a blockbuster Saturday, April 5, 2025, as three critical Kentucky Derby prep races—the Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby—set the stage for the Run for the Roses. Who better to guide your bets than Frank Taddeo, a longtime Vegas Insider and respected handicapper on X, who’s correctly picked 7 of the last 13 Kentucky Derby winners? Highlighted by his 2023 triumph with Mage, where he nailed the win, (115-1) exacta, and a mind-blowing (982-1) trifecta, Taddeo’s proven he’s a force in horse racing. With standout contenders like River Thames, Grande, and Journalism in the spotlight, his betting previews deliver sharp odds analysis and strategic wagers to help you cash in today. Dive into the action with a pro you can trust.

UPDATE 2:30pm EST: Due to bad weather, the Blue Grass Stakes has been moved to Tuesday, April 8th.

2025 Blue Grass Stakes (G2)

  • Racetrack: Keeneland
  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (Updated)
  • Purse: $750,000
  • Distance: 1 1/8 Mile, Dirt
  • Race: 10
  • Post Time: 5:52 p.m. EST / 2:52 PST
  • TV: FanDuel TV

Blue Grass Betting Breakdown

My top play is No. 1 River Thames (5/2), who drew the rail with top jockey Irad Ortiz in the saddle. Todd Pletcher’s top entry won’t have the lead alone as he’s likely to be joined by both Owen Almighty and East Avenue up front battling for the lead.

  • TOP Exacta Part-Wheel: 1 / 3,4,6 — $1 wager: $3
  • Exacta BOX: 1-3-4-6 — $1 wager: $12
  • TOP Trifecta Part-Wheel: 1 with 3,4,6 with 3,4,6 — $1 wager: $5
  • Spread Tri: 1,3 / 1,3,4,6 / 1,3,4,6 — $0.50 wager: $6

All wagers display ticket cost. Adjust wager amounts based on your bankroll.

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2025 Wood Memorial (G2)

  • Racetrack: Aqueduct
  • Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
  • Purse: $750,000
  • Distance: 1 1/8 Mile, Dirt
  • Race: 12
  • Post Time: 6:10 p.m. EST / 3:10 PST
  • TV: FOX

Wood Memorial Betting Breakdown

With rain in the forecast, my top play is...

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About Frank Taddeo 89 Articles
Frankie is a Villanova alumni who created the first Casino Fantasy Sports program in Vegas book. He was the 2019 FFWC 10K Top Gun Champion & 2017 + 2018 Back-to-Back Top 100 Players in World Invit. Champ! He is a sports fanatic, a Vegas whisperer, and a horse racing expert handicapper!