Burnham Square Headed to Blue Grass after FOY Disappointment

Blueberry Hill Makes Awaited Return in Thursday Feature
Thursday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $75,000

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Burnham Square came up short of winning his third straight victory of the 2024-2025 Championship Meet when finishing fourth in last Saturday’s $415,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream, but trainer Ian Wilkes is forging ahead with the Liam’s Map gelding on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

After breaking his maiden, winning the Holy Bull (G3), and being beaten less than three lengths by Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth, Burnham Square is likely to bypass the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 29 at Gulfstream and return in the April 5 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.

“He’ll probably go to the Blue Grass. I’ve got to ship sometime,” said Wilkes, noting that the extra week between the Florida Derby and Blue Grass “won’t hurt him.”

Burnham Square, who was last of six after the first quarter of a mile in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, ran in spots before finishing with energy to miss third by a neck.

“He made some mistakes in the race, but he did some good things too,” said Wilkes before saddling the winner of Wednesday’s first race. “He came running down the lane and galloped out good.”

Blueberry Hill Makes Awaited Return in Thursday Feature

Michael Tabor’s Blueberry Hill, a fashionable 5 ¾-lengths debut winner Jan. 30, at Gulfstream. returns to action in Thursday’s featured Race 7, a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-old fillies.

The daughter of Munnings shook off early pressure while drawing away to a convincing win in her seven-furlong debut under Irad Ortiz Jr., who has the return mount Thursday, for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

Blueberry Hill is favored at 2-1 on the morning line in a field of seven fillies, including Ian Wilkes-trained Justinqueso, who was impressive in her Dec. 13 debut at Gulfstream, in which she was placed first after being bothered by the disqualified first-place finisher. The daughter of Ghostzapper is dropping from an off-the-board finish in the Forward Gal (G2), in which she encountered nothing but trouble.

Thursday’s Race 7 feature will headline the 20-cent Rainbow 6 sequence that will span Races 4-9. The Rainbow 6 went unsolved Wednesday on the first racing day following Sunday’s mandatory payout at Gulfstream Park. The popular multi-race wager’s jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $75,000 for Thursday’s program.

Who’s Hot: Leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. notched back-to-back victories aboard Freedom Road ($3.20) in Race 7 and Ms. Tart ($16) in Race 8.