Burnham Square

Burnham Square began his career with a pair of in-the-money finishes in Kentucky as a 2-year-old in October and November of 2024, but the bay gelding really exploded in his third lifetime start with a nine-length maiden win going 1 1/16 when blinkers were added on Dec. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Burnham Square was entered versus stakes company for the first time in his 3-year-old debut on Feb. 1, 2025, when he took to the track against six rivals in the Grade 3 $265,000 Holy Bull Stakes back at the 1 1/16-mile trip at Gulfstream Park. After settling in last in the early stages of the running of the Holy Bull, began to roll up into contention on the turn and then shifted gears in the stretch to pass the leaders en route to a 1 3/4-length win with Edgard Zayas aboard.

Burnham Square made his next start in the Grade 2 $400,000 Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 1 but could not find the same success he had enjoyed in the Holy Bull. He finished fourth by three lengths with no apparent excuse as the 1.90-1 favorite in the field of six.

With 30 qualifying Kentucky Derby points, Burnham Square needed to finish at least third, and preferably first or second, in his final prep race, and instead of running in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa, he was shipped to Keeneland for the rescheduled Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 8. Burnham Square was sent off as the fourth betting choice in a competitive field of seven at 4.24-1 odds, and after being bumped at the start, he settled into his customary rear guard position early in the 1 1/8-mile race while East Avenue and Owen Almighty contested the pace.

First-time jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. urged Burnham Square into contention through the far turn, and the gelding rallied six-wide in upper stretch to take aim on East Avenue, who had forged clear. Burnham Square would not be denied and edged that foe by a nose to earn 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and safely secure a spot in the May 3 starting gate.

Burnham Square had an extremely rough trip in the Kentucky Derby, getting bumped at the start and then having to check at the half-mile marker when a rival in front of him veered out. Still, he rallied to finish sixth, and continued his consistent pattern in his first post-Derby start when he finished a rallying second to East Avenue in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes June 8 at Churchill.

Burnham Square is trained by Ian Wilkes. He was bred in Kentucky by the sire Liam's Map out of the mare Linda by Scat Daddy.