$3 Million Nashville Derby At Kentucky Downs Offers Huge Opportunities

The Nashville Derby ranks only behind the Kentucky Derby in purse money for a race restricted to three-year-olds

Danny Brewer

For the second consecutive year, the Nashville Derby will offer the second highest purse for a race restricted to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Ranking only behind the Kentucky Derby as far as money distributed, this mile and five sixteenths run over the Kentucky Downs grass has attracted horses from all over the world. Once known as the Dueling Grounds Derby, the race was renamed in 2024 for that thriving city just 35 miles south of the only European style course in the United States. European-based horses have won both of the previous runnings of the Nashville Derby and the Irish-bred Causeway is the morning line favorite in this, his first start in the United States. A highly competitive field offers opportunities for a season-making score for horsemen and nice returns on investments for the wagering public. Let’s take a peek at the contestants and offer a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Nashville Derby is carded as race 8 on September 5 with an expected post time of 4:36 pm central. Television coverage will be offered on NBC.

1 Royal Causeway

Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Jockey: Cristian Torres

Odds: 20-1

Has won two of his last three races and finished second in the other. Much deeper water for a horse that has never started in a graded Stakes race. Will be stretching out a bit in distance but seems to have a later closer type run that could be dangerous depending on the pace scenario. Might be a price horse for your superfecta.

2 Royal Guard

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Odds: 8-1

Two wins in a row and two third place finishes in five career starts. Trainer Brad Cox has done a masterful job at bringing this horse along and longer distances seem to suit him quite nicely. Certainly a horse headed in the right direction and a good price play option.

3 Glacius

Trainer: Hugo Palmer

Jockey: Luis Saez

Odds: 4-1

Made his first start in the United States on August 8 and took’em gate to wire in the mile and three sixteenths Saratoga Derby. Luis Saez is back aboard for this one and likely will try and employ a similar strategy. Certainly one for your multi-race and exotic wagers.

Kentucky Downs offers the highest per race payouts in North American and the Nashville Derby features the largest purse.

Danny Brewer

4 Caroline St. Beat

Trainer: Miguel Clement

Jockey: Tyler Gafflione

Odds: 20-1

New York-bred son of Tiz the Law has two wins and two seconds in four lifetime starts. Full of confidence, trainer is wheeling him back to the gates after winning an allowance race at Saratoga on August 29. His closing style makes him an interesting price play and a horse for your superfecta.

5 Versailles Road

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Johnny Velazquez

Odds: 12-1

Won two of his last three but will be making his first start in Stakes company. Son of Quality Road should be on or near the lead early and should be a pace factor. Jockey/trainer combo is always dangerous and should be a solid price play.

6 Causeway

Trainer: Aiden O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Odds: 5-2

Very deserving morning line favorite as this Irish-bred has won four of five this year and five of seven overall. Son of Wooton Bassett will be making his first trip across the pond and how he handles the ship will be a big question. The horse to beat for sure.

7 Fuzzbuster

Trainer: Vickie Oliver

Jockey: Mario Guitierrez

Odds: 20-1

A runner that has been a bridesmaid. Seven career starts has seen six finishes in the top three with only one win. Was fourth in the Secretariat Stakes by 2 ½ lengths at Colonial Downs in his last start. Big step up in class at a longer distance for this son of Tiz the Law.

8 Fancy Sailor

Trainer: Brian Lynch

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Odds: 8-1

Has won two in a row and overall has three wins and a third in five career starts. Will be stretching out in distance but at that price this horse is what we consider a must use. Son of Justify is in all of our exotic wagers.

9 Gostam

Trainer: Andreas Wohler

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Odds: 6-1

German-bred son of Saxon Warrior who won his first four starts but faded to an eighth and tenth place finish in his last two outings. Making his first start away from the European continent. We are looking elsewhere.

10 Go Grey

Trainer: Mike Maker

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Odds: 20-1

Has two wins and a second in six career starts, but this will be his first start in graded Stakes company. Big step up for this son of Knicks Go but his conditioner has a way at this little country track and the jock has been one of the best recently. Our longshot play in this one.

Jockey Jose Ortiz of Golden Tempo celebrates after winning the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. He rides Go Grey in the Nashville Derby on September 5(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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11 Nil Bua Gan Dua

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Jockey: Ben Curtis

Odds: 10-1

Son of American Pharoah is another European shipper that will be making his first U.S. start. Gets a Kentucky circuit rider and has two wins and a third in five starts this year. His pappy has produced winners and he is coming in off a Stakes victory. A good price play if you need one.

12 Blackmail

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Odds: 15-1

Last four starts have been in Stakes action with one win, a second, and third, and an eighth place finish two starts back. Trainer has been good at winning big races this year and yes this horse looks like a good horse at a nice price. Outside post will be tough, but stranger things have happened at Kentucky Downs.