The 147th annual running of the Kentucky Oaks uniquely takes place on the 30th of April this year, with the first Saturday in May belonging to the 1st.
The distance covered is 9 furlongs on the dirt track at Churchill Downs. The participants are among the fastest 3-year-old female horses in the world. Three preceding champions in Monomoy Girl, Serengeti Express, and as you may recall last year ,Shedaresthedevil, who ran the fastest race in Oaks history since it was extended from 8 to 9 furlongs in 1982.
This year's "Lillies for the Fillies" features 14 horses, most of which have previously won at least once before. Let's send it down to Ollie to take a look at the field. Ollie?
Thanks, Ollie.
THE FIELD:
1 - Pauline's Pearl (20-1)
2 - Maracuja (20-1)
3 - Clairiere (5-1)
4 - Crazy Beautiful (15-1)
5 - Pass the Champagne (15-1)
6 - Travel Column (3-1)
7 - Ava's Grace (50-1)
8 - Moraz (30-1)
9 - Coach (50-1)
10 - Malathaat (5-2)
11 - Will's Secret (30-1)
12 - Search Results (3-1)
13 - Competitive Speed (50-1)
14 - Millefeuille (20-1)
THE PICKS:
5 - Pass the Champagne (15-1)
Race History
Starts: 3
First: 1
Second: 2
Third: 0
Out of the Money (OOTM): 0
Humans of Interest
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: George Weaver
Stable: R.A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing LLC, BlackRidge Stables LLC, and James Brown (if three's company and four's a crowd, this winner's circle will be like Woodstock).
Story
PTC finished second by a nose to Malathaat in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland on April 2nd after winning and finishing second in her first two races as a 3-year-old. 15-1 odds are great value for a horse that's never finished out of the money with a jockey that never finishes out of the money. Take PTC ATB, baby.
9 - Coach (50-1)
Race History
Starts: 7
First: 3
Second: 1
Third: 2
OOTM: 1
Humans of Interest
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Brad Cox
Stable: Kueber Racing, LLC
Story
At 50-1 why not get rich quick on a horse that has won nearly half the races she's entered. Coach has raced and finished in the money with company like Pauline's Pearl, Ava's Grace, Willi's Secret, Clairiere, and Travel's Column. If you play this game for the rush, put your chips on Coach to win.
12 - Search Results (3-1)
Race History
Starts: 3
First: 3
That's all that needs to be said about that. 3 for 3 in her career heading into the Oaks.
Humans of Interest
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Trainer: Chad Brown
Stable: Klaravich Stables, Inc.
Story
Surely to be one of the favorites in this race with a brief but highly successful track record. In my opinion this is the hottest jockey paired with the hottest trainer in the sport right now. The Kentucky Oaks is the stiffest competition that any of these horses will see, but for Search Results it will be a real test to see if she's one of the greats or simply a good money earning horse for Seth Klarman and William H. Lawrence.
THE BETS:
9 to win
5 across the board
12 to win/place
WDKL:
Who Does Kate Like?
Kate likes the 3, Clairiere (5-1) and the 10, Malathaat (5-2).
LAST NOTE:
In each of their last three races, Clariere and Travel Column have finished first & second against each other with Travel Column winning races 1 & 3 and Clairiere winning the second. If you believe in history repeating itself, a 3-6 exacta box would be profitable.