Kentucky Derby 2025: Wilkes plowing ahead with Burnham Square

Disappointed, but not discouraged, trainer Ian Wilkes said Burnham Square, fourth as the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, will continue down the Triple Crown trail and be pointed to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 5.

“It’s back home,” Wilkes said “He’s run three times [in Florida]. We’ll get back to Kentucky and just plan on the Blue Grass and see if we can rebound.”

Burnham Square, who won a maiden and the Grade 3 Holy Bull, both at 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream, was beaten three lengths while running fourth behind Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth. Wilkes thought the result could have been worse.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2025: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

“At the top of the stretch, when Sovereignty came by us, we were going to run a bad fifth,” Wilkes said. “But he come running down the lane, didn’t quit. If you watch the gallop-out, he gallops out in front of Sovereignty. Gulfstream can be a tough track – speed. Distance is going to be my friend. I’m very happy with him; he come out of it good. He just needs to go farther.”

Burnham Square made his career debut at Keeneland, finishing second by a half-length in a maiden $150,000 claiming race going short.

Owing to the consistency of the weather in South Florida, Wilkes said Burnham Square would likely to do all of his serious training for the Blue Grass at the Palm Meadows training center. Wilkes has not yet decided if Burnham Square will be based at Churchill or the Skylight training center when he first ships back to Kentucky.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.