High-Stakes $3 Million Nashville Derby Returns to Kentucky Downs With Elite International Field

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 offers the second-highest purse of any race restricted to three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Ranking behind only the Kentucky Derby in money distributed, this mile-and-five-sixteenths contest over the Kentucky Downs turf has drawn competitors from across the globe. Previously known as the Dueling Grounds Derby, the race was renamed in 2024 to honor the vibrant city located just 35 miles south of America’s only European-style course. European-trained horses have captured both prior runnings of the Nashville Derby, and the Irish-bred Causeway enters as the morning-line favorite in what will be his first start on American soil. A deep and competitive field presents opportunities for a season-defining victory for horsemen, along with attractive payoffs for the betting public. Below is a closer look at each entrant, listed by post position along with trainer, jockey, and morning-line odds. The Nashville Derby is scheduled as Race 8 on September 5, with a tentative post time of 4:36 p.m. Central, and will be broadcast on NBC.

1 Royal Causeway

Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Jockey: Cristian Torres

Odds: 20-1

Has won two of his last three starts and finished second in the other. This represents significantly tougher competition for a horse that has never previously contested a graded stakes race. The added distance should suit his late-running style, which could prove dangerous depending on how the pace unfolds. A viable longshot to include in superfecta plays.

2 Royal Guard

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Odds: 8-1

Winner of two consecutive races with two third-place finishes from five career starts. Trainer Brad Cox has done an exceptional job developing him steadily, and longer distances clearly appear to suit his running style. A horse trending in the right direction and a solid value play.

3 Glacius

Trainer: Hugo Palmer

Jockey: Luis Saez

Odds: 4-1

Made his United States debut on August 8 and led gate-to-wire in the mile-and-three-sixteenths Saratoga Derby. Luis Saez returns to the saddle and will likely employ a similar front-running strategy. A strong inclusion for multi-race and exotic wagers.

4 Caroline St. Beat

Trainer: Miguel Clement

Jockey: Tyler Gafflione

Odds: 20-1

This New York-bred son of Tiz the Law has recorded two wins and two seconds from four lifetime starts. Confidence is high, and his trainer wheels him in quickly off an allowance victory at Saratoga on August 29. His closing style makes him an intriguing longshot and superfecta contender.

5 Versailles Road

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Johnny Velazquez

Odds: 12-1

Won two of his last three starts but makes his stakes debut here. A son of Quality Road, he is expected to be on or near the early lead and should factor prominently throughout. The jockey-trainer combination is always formidable, making him a dependable value play.

6 Causeway

Trainer: Aiden O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Odds: 5-2

A fully deserving morning-line favorite, this Irish-bred has won four of five starts this year and five of seven overall. The son of Wooton Bassett makes his first transatlantic journey, and how he handles the shipment will be a critical question. The clear horse to beat.

7 Fuzzbuster

Trainer: Vickie Oliver

Jockey: Mario Guitierrez

Odds: 20-1

A runner who has frequently played the bridesmaid role. From seven career starts, he has finished in the top three six times with only a single victory. He was fourth in the Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs, beaten 2.5 lengths, in his most recent outing. This represents a significant class increase at an extended distance for this son of Tiz the Law.

8 Fancy Sailor

Trainer: Brian Lynch

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Odds: 8-1

Winner of two consecutive starts, with three victories and a third from five career outings overall. The distance stretch should suit him well, and at this price he is essentially a must-use. This son of Justify appears across all our exotic wager recommendations.

9 Gostam

Trainer: Andreas Wohler

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Odds: 6-1

A German-bred son of Saxon Warrior who won his first four career starts before fading to eighth and tenth in his two most recent outings. Making his first start outside the European continent. We are looking elsewhere.

10 Go Grey

Trainer: Mike Maker

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Odds: 20-1

Records include two wins and a second from six career starts, though this marks his graded stakes debut. A significant class test for this son of Knicks Go, but his trainer has a particular touch at this venue and his jockey has been among the most prolific winners of late. Our designated longshot selection.

11 Nil Bua Gan Dua

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Jockey: Ben Curtis

Odds: 10-1

A son of American Pharoah and another European shipper making his first U.S. start. He benefits from a rider familiar with the Kentucky circuit and has recorded two wins and a third from five starts this year. His sire has consistently produced quality runners, and he comes in off a stakes win. A sound value play if you need one.

12 Blackmail

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Odds: 15-1

His last four starts have come in stakes competition, recording one win, a second, a third, and an eighth two starts back. His trainer has excelled at winning major races this year, and yes, he looks like a quality horse at an appealing price. The outside post presents a challenge, but surprises are not uncommon at Kentucky Downs.

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