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A lot has been fabricated from the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024, however the identical historic marker applies to its companion race for 3-year-old fillies, the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks.
Just like the Derby, the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks has a wealthy historical past with a few of the iconic names within the sport etched in Thoroughbred racing historical past books like Modesty, Cicada, Susan’s Lady, Davona Dale, and Rachel Alexandra amongst its previous winners. Jennifer Kelly recounted her 10 greatest winners of the Kentucky Oaks in honor of the 150th version of the race detailing the careers of 10 nice champion racemares.
Historically held the Friday earlier than the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks is scheduled for Might 3 at Churchill Downs and drew an overflow discipline of 3-year-old fillies from throughout the nation plus one transport in from the Center East.
The race can be televised on USA Community and streamed dwell on Peacock, anchoring a Friday broadcast that runs from 1-6 p.m. ET.
Learn on for extra data on the contenders for this milestone version of the Kentucky Oaks. Whether or not you simply need to be taught somewhat extra concerning the fillies or wager a couple of {dollars} on the race, the Kentucky Oaks Cheat Sheet is a helpful supply of data for what’s shaping up as an thrilling and aggressive race. Examine again Saturday night, April 27, for an up to date Kentucky Oaks Cheat Sheet with contenders listed in post-position order and with morning-line odds added.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Coach: Brad Cox
Proprietor: Godolphin
Profession document: 5 begins – 4 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $518,925
Earnings per begin: $103,785
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 99
Kentucky Oaks factors: 150
Pedigree: Bernardini – Kite Seaside, by Superior Once more
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Working model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: This Godolphin homebred Bernardini filly from the household of Corridor of Famer and two-time Breeders’ Cup Traditional winner Tiznow has improved in every of her three begins this yr and enters the Kentucky Oaks as some of the doubtless winners. Tarifa makes use of her tactical velocity to press or stalk the tempo and discover high quality positioning early in races and has a pleasant mixture of tenacity and stamina to outfinish opponents late. She received certainly one of two begins in 2023 however is 3-for-3 this yr in her 3-year-old marketing campaign and enters this race off back-to-back graded stakes wins at Truthful Grounds for two-time Kentucky Oaks-winning coach Brad Cox. She was a dominant 2 ¾-length winner on a sloppy monitor within the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Offered by Fasig-Tipton in February, so she’s confirmed on an “off” monitor, and adopted with a three-quarter-length win March 23 within the Truthful Grounds Oaks Offered by Fasig-Tipton. Her lone defeat in 5 profession begins got here on the Churchill principal monitor in November 2023, a fourth-place end as the favourite, in order that’s one minor concern, however Tarifa brings high credentials into the race with velocity figures comparable with the opposite principal contenders. Cox’s earlier Oaks wins got here with Monomoy Lady in 2018 and Shedaresthedevil in 2020; proprietor Godolphin received the race in 2023 with Fairly Mischievous. Jockey Flavien Prat is looking for his first Kentucky Oaks victory.
Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Coach: Val Brinkerhoff
Proprietor: Michael McMillan
Profession document: 8 begins – 1 win – 3 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $202,620
Earnings per begin: $25,328
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 101
Kentucky Oaks factors: 125
Pedigree: Twirling Sweet – Mapit, by Tapit
Shade: Bay
Working model: Stalker/nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: The place’s My Ring shipped from her Southern California base to New York for the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes April 6 winless in seven begins. She left the Massive Apple as one of many favorites for the Kentucky Oaks after a dominant 4 ¼-length runaway for coach Val Brinkerhoff. The Twirling Sweet filly is a reminder that racehorses can enhance considerably in late winter-early spring of their 3-year-old seasons, but it surely’s not as if the Gazelle win got here fully out of the blue. She had beforehand run second thrice and third as soon as, together with a runner-up end to well-regarded Kinza within the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes one begin previous to the breakthrough win, and The place’s My Ring was really a lukewarm post-time favourite within the Gazelle. She earned a 101 Equibase Velocity Determine for the win, tied for tops on this group, and a repeat of her Gazelle win or a slight enchancment would make her a critical win candidate for her connections, who’re all looking for their first victory within the Kentucky Oaks.
Jockey: Daniel Centeno
Coach: Jorge Delgado
Proprietor: Lea Farms
Profession document: 6 begins – 4 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $337,450
Earnings per begin: $56,242
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 91
Kentucky Oaks factors: 120
Pedigree: Union Rags – Callmethesqueeze, by Superior Once more
Shade: Chestnut
Working model: Stalker/nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Energy Squeeze flew beneath the radar getting into the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks Offered by FanDuel TV regardless of carrying a three-race successful streak into her graded stakes debut. That state of affairs appears unlikely to repeat itself within the Kentucky Oaks after Energy Squeeze prolonged her successful streak to 4 with a one-length victory at 11-1 odds March 30 at Gulfstream. Primarily based upon velocity figures, Energy Squeeze might want to take a step ahead and enhance by about 10 factors to the triple-digit vary Might 3 at Churchill Downs, however with 4 straight wins by open lengths, all at one mile or longer, the Union Rags filly seems to be a serious participant. Every of her first three dams (mom, maternal grandmother, maternal great-grandmother) received a number of stakes races, so Energy Squeeze profiles as an aesthetic 3-year-old filly on a fairly a roll getting into the 2024 Kentucky Oaks. Energy Squeeze’s proprietor Lea Farms, coach Jorge Delgado, and jockey Daniel Centeno all are looking for their first Kentucky Oaks win.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Proprietor: Whisper Hill Farm
Profession document: 4 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $467,800
Earnings per begin: $116,950
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 98
Kentucky Oaks factors: 115
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Wildwood Rose, by Galileo
Shade: Bay
Working model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Leslie’s Rose was a $1,150,000 buy on the 2022 Keeneland September yearling sale by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm, and the Into Mischief filly has so far lived as much as lofty expectations with three wins in 4 begins. Leslie’s Rose is by main sire Into Mischief and was produced by the unraced Galileo mare Wildwood Rose, who’s a half-sibling (similar dam [mother], totally different sire [father]) to 2015 Florida Derby winner Materiality and 2014 Gazelle Stakes winner My Miss Sophia. It’s simple to know why she was extremely wanted at public sale and she or he delivered a real breakout efficiency in her closing prep for the Kentucky Oaks when surging clear to a three-length victory within the Grade 1 Central Financial institution Ashland Stakes April 5 at Keeneland. Leslie’s Rose earned a brand new career-top 98 Equibase Velocity Determine for the Ashland rating and needs to be one of many favorites for the Kentucky Oaks off that visually spectacular win. Coach Todd Pletcher is looking for his fifth win within the Kentucky Oaks after taking the lilies with Ashado (2004), Rags to Riches (2007), Princess of Sylmar (2013), and Malathaat (2021). Pope and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. each are attempting to win the Kentucky Oaks for the primary time.
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Coach: Ken McPeek
Homeowners: Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks, and Magdalena Racing
Profession document: 4 begins – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $584,363
Earnings per begin: $146,091
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 101
Kentucky Oaks factors: 105
Pedigree: Quick Anna – Sataves, by Uncle Mo
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Working model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: If Thorpedo Anna runs to the expectations of loquacious coach Kenny McPeek, the remainder of the Kentucky Oaks discipline may be working for second. “They higher convey a bear [in the Oaks] as a result of I’m bringing a grizzly,” McPeek mentioned. “I wouldn’t be afraid to run her in opposition to the colts.” Certainly, Thorpedo Anna enters the Kentucky Oaks off a dominant season-debut victory by 4 lengths within the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes March 30 at Oaklawn Park. The filly by Quick Anna from the household of 2010 Wooden Memorial Stakes winner Eskendereya earned a brand new career-best 101 Equibase Velocity Determine, tied for one of the best among the many Kentucky Oaks hopefuls, for her Fantasy win. She is eligible to enhance with 5 weeks relaxation for her second begin off a four-month layoff following a 2-year-old season through which she received two of three begins and completed second within the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. Thorpedo Anna additionally has a win on the principle monitor at Churchill in her second begin, romping by 9 lengths going a mile Nov. 2 beneath the Twin Spires. McPeek has by no means received the Kentucky Oaks though he has completed second on a number of events, most lately with Swiss Skydiver who adopted with a win within the Preakness Stakes in 2020. Likewise, this possession group and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. are looking for their first Kentucky Oaks victory.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Coach: Invoice Mott
Proprietor: George Krikorian
Profession document: 4 begins – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $1,433,250
Earnings per begin: $358,313
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 95
Kentucky Oaks factors: 90
Pedigree: Justify – Star Act, by Avenue Cry
Shade: Bay
Working model: Stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Simply F Y I, a cleverly named daughter of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, swept by means of three begins as a 2-year-old final fall undefeated. She capped her season with a hard-fought neck victory within the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies en path to the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly. Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott gave her an prolonged break after the Breeders’ Cup and Simply F Y I returned from the five-month layoff with a second-place end to Leslie’s Rose within the Grade 1 Central Financial institution Ashland Stakes. Though Simply F Y I suffered the primary defeat of her profession within the Ashland, the race seems to be like a probably optimistic steppingstone to the Kentucky Oaks given she was very doubtless not near 100% in her return from an prolonged break from competitors. Simply F Y I used to be simply two factors off her career-best 95 Equibase Velocity Determine within the Ashland and with a modest enchancment of 5 to eight factors she can be proper within the combine as a win candidate with a confirmed monitor document as a two-time Grade 1 winner. The George Krikorian homebred is from the household of a number of Grade 1 winners Starrer (her maternal grandmother) and Stellar Jayne and has an opportunity to present Krikorian, Mott, and jockey Junior Alvarado their first Kentucky Oaks win.
Jockey: TBD
Coach: Brad Cox
Proprietor: Calumet Farm
Profession document: 7 begins – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 2 thirds
Profession earnings: $230,508
Earnings per begin: $32,930
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 87
Kentucky Oaks factors: 66
Pedigree: Hightail – Earlier than You Know It, by Laborious Spun
Shade: Bay
Working model: Nearer/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Calumet Farm is the all-time main proprietor and breeder in Kentucky Oaks historical past gathering six wins with Nellie L (1943), Wistful (1949), Corridor of Famer Actual Delight (1952), Bubbley (1953), Princess Turia (1956), and Corridor of Famer Davona Dale (1979). Not one of the six earlier Oaks winners, nevertheless, has come because the farm was leased to billionaire businessman Brad Kelley in 2012. That would change Might 3 at Churchill Downs when Kelly’s Calumet sends out Busanda Stakes winner Gin Gin. The bay Hightail filly figures to be a longshot for the Oaks after she was overwhelmed by 4 ¾ lengths when third within the Busher Invitational Stakes and by 9 ½ lengths when third within the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes, each at Aqueduct, in her two earlier begins. She enters the race on a sample of enchancment as she has boosted her Equibase Velocity Determine from an 82 within the Busanda Stakes win to an 86 for the Busher Stakes and an 87 within the Gazelle. Gin Gin might want to present important enchancment to be a bona-fide win candidate within the Kentucky Oaks however she is within the succesful arms of Brad Cox, who received the Oaks with Monomoy Lady in 2018 and Shedaresthedevil in 2020.
Jockey: TBD
Coach: Michael “Bo” Yates
Proprietor: Stonehedge
Profession document: 6 begins – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $253,410
Earnings per begin: $42,235
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 91
Kentucky Oaks factors: 60
Pedigree: St Patrick’s Day – Mollie’s Magic, by Factum
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Working model: Pacesetter
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Fiona’s Magic was in terrific kind to start the season, ending second within the Grade 3 Ahead Gal Stakes earlier than incomes her first stakes win with a front-running half-length victory within the Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes Offered by FanDuel TV March 2. The charmed begin got here to a halt, nevertheless, in her third race of the yr as 5 fillies vied for the early lead within the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks Offered by FanDuel TV and Fiona’s Magic light badly late, ending eighth by 44 ¾ lengths. Clearly, Fiona’s Magic’s connections are hoping for a bounce-back effort within the Kentucky Oaks and that the Gulfstream Park Oaks was merely an off day. Racehorses usually are not machines in order that may be very potential, however the Gulfstream Park Oaks was Fiona’s Magic’s first strive in a race longer than a mile and she or he would want to enhance her Equibase Velocity Determine by about 10 factors to have an opportunity to complete first within the Kentucky Oaks. That’s rather a lot to ask popping out of the worst begin of Fiona’s Magic’s profession up to now. There’s not a ton of velocity entered within the Kentucky Oaks – though the fillies at present on the also-eligible record may inject some tempo into the race – in order that needs to be to Fiona’s Magic’s profit, and setting an uncontested tempo can be her greatest shot at a top-three end. Proprietor Stonehedge and coach Bo Yates are looking for their first Kentucky Oaks win. Yates received the Davona Dale in 2023 with Dorth Vader, who subsequently completed fifth within the Kentucky Oaks
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Coach: Chad Brown
Proprietor: Klaravich Stables
Profession document: 5 begins – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $114,274
Earnings per begin: $22,855
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 95
Kentucky Oaks factors: 55
Pedigree: Omaha Seaside – Walkwithapurpose, by Sweet Journey
Shade: Bay
Working model: Press the tempo/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Coach Chad Brown initially was noncommittal on the Kentucky Oaks with Regulatory Threat, however he determined to ship the Omaha Seaside filly to Churchill Downs after she confirmed optimistic indicators following a runner-up end within the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes April 6 at Aqueduct. “She labored nice in her first work after the Gazelle,” Brown mentioned of a half-mile exercise April 20. “She is a quickly bettering filly. … She deserves a shot.” Regulatory Threat received as soon as in three races as a 2-year-old and made little impression when fifth within the Busher Invitational Stakes March 2 at Aqueduct in her 3-year-old bow. Regulatory Threat took a short lead close to the quarter-pole within the Gazelle however couldn’t match strides with winner The place’s My Ring and completed second, overwhelmed by 4 ¼ lengths. The bay filly out of stakes winner and stakes producer Walkwithapurpose will strive for the primary stakes win of her profession within the Kentucky Oaks after posting a career-best 95 Equibase Velocity Determine within the Gazelle. It’s a tall order, however Regulatory Threat would want solely a small enchancment to be a viable contender in opposition to this bunch for four-time Eclipse Award-winning coach Brown, who completed second on this race in 2021 with Search Outcomes however continues to be looking for his first Kentucky Oaks win. Likewise, proprietor Klaravich Stables will try to win the Kentucky Oaks for the primary time after working second in 2021 with the aforementioned Search Outcomes. Jockey Jose Ortiz received the Kentucky Oaks in 2019 on Serengeti Empress.
Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel
Coach: Eddie Milligan Jr.
Proprietor: Willis Horton Racing
Profession document: 6 begins – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $236,819
Earnings per begin: $39,470
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 91
Kentucky Oaks factors: 54
Pedigree: Tapit – Take Cost Tressa, by Conflict Entrance
Shade: Chestnut
Working model: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Willis Horton Racing’s homebred started her profession with back-to-back runaway victories in sprints, together with a 5 ½-length romp within the My Trusty Cat Stakes in November 2023 at Delta Downs. It was a promising begin for a well-bred filly by main sire Tapit out of Take Cost Tressa, a full-sister (similar dam [mother], similar sire [father]) to 2019 Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Seaside and a half-sister to Horton Racing’s champion Take Cost Brandi. Tapit Jenallie’s third dam (maternal great-grandmother), Take Cost Girl, ran second within the 2002 Kentucky Oaks and produced three Grade 1 winners, together with champion Will Take Cost. Pedigree can solely carry a racehorse up to now, nevertheless, as Tapit Jenallie then stretched out in distance and didn’t win in 4 subsequent begins, all at a mile or longer, whereas choosing up paychecks and Kentucky Oaks qualifying factors with minor placings. Tapit Jenallie ran fourth within the Martha Washington Stakes to kick off her 3-year-old season after which was second by 3 ½ lengths within the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes and third by 7 ¼ lengths within the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes. She has important floor to make up on Fantasy winner Thorpedo Anna within the Kentucky Oaks and would want to spice up her career-best Equibase Velocity Determine about 10 factors to be a viable win menace. A extra doubtless state of affairs for Tapit Jenallie can be filling out the trifecta or superfecta at interesting odds with a extra incremental enchancment. The Horton household was half proprietor of 2006 Kentucky Oaks winner Lemons Endlessly. Coach Eddie Milligan Jr. and jockey Manny Esquivel each are looking for their first Kentucky Oaks win.
Everland
Jockey: Abel Cedillo
Coach: Eric Foster
Homeowners: Foster Household Racing, William Wargel, R.Ok. Eckrich Racing, and Maxis Steady
Profession document: 7 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $237,143
Earnings per begin: $33,878
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 100
Kentucky Oaks factors: 54
Pedigree: Arrogate – Ever Altering, by Tapit
Shade: Grey or roan
Working model: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Bourbonette Oaks winner Everland will compete in a race on a mud principal monitor for the primary time within the Kentucky Oaks after racing six instances beforehand on all-weather surfaces at Turfway Park and Woodbine and as soon as on the grass at Kentucky Downs. The Arrogate filly was claimed for $30,000 by coach Eric Foster on behalf of her present homeowners out of a Dec. 30, 2023, maiden claiming race at Turfway, which she received by three-quarters of a size. She rewarded her new connections with a 3 ½-length win in her first begin for them Feb 10 at Turfway Park. After an unplaced end in her stakes debut March 10 within the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes, Everland closed from off the tempo to win the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway by 1 ½ lengths whereas incomes a career-top 100 Equibase Velocity Determine. Replicating that kind of race on Kentucky Oaks day would make Everland a significant factor within the race, however the important thing query is, will her expertise translate to the dust? Her sire, Arrogate, was dazzling on dust with wins within the Travers Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Traditional, Pegasus World Cup, and Dubai World Cup. Nevertheless, the underside half of Everland’s pedigree leans closely towards grass, together with her second dam (maternal grandmother), European champion Rainbow View, in addition to Grade 1 winners Simply As Nicely and No Matter What. That makes Everland fairly the wild card on this race. For those who fancy her possibilities, you almost certainly can be richly rewarded. The possession group, coach Foster, and jockey Abel Cedillo are attempting to win the Kentucky Oaks for the primary time.
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Coach: D. Wayne Lukas
Homeowners: Aaron Sones and Julie Gilbert
Profession document: 7 begins – 1 win – 4 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $324,000
Earnings per begin: $46,286
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 90
Kentucky Oaks factors: 50
Pedigree: Collected – Pelt, by Canadian Frontier
Shade: Grey or roan
Working model: Nearer/stalker
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Lemon Muffin has an opportunity to present Corridor of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas his sixth Kentucky Oaks victory, which might break a tie with Woody Stephens for probably the most within the 150-year historical past of the race. On the opposite facet of the spectrum, 25-year-old jockey Keith Asmussen makes his Kentucky Oaks debut aboard Lemon Muffin after guiding her to a 3 ½-length win Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park within the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes. The Collected filly was unable to copy her breakout efficiency from the Honeybee 5 weeks later within the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes, ending a well-beaten seventh March 30 at Oaklawn, and thus enters the Kentucky Oaks as a little bit of a query mark. Was the actual Lemon Muffin the one who dominated the opposition within the Honeybee or the one who was no match for Thorpedo Anna within the Fantasy? The reply most likely lies someplace within the center, which makes Lemon Muffin a fringe contender within the Kentucky Oaks who may rally from off the tempo to boost the exotics at an enormous worth. Lukas beforehand received the Kentucky oaks with Blush With Delight (1982), Fortunate Fortunate Fortunate (1984), Corridor of Famer Open Thoughts (1989), Seaside Attraction (1990), and Secret Oath (2022). Homeowners Aaron Sones and Julie Gilbert, like jockey Keith Asmussen, are looking for their first Kentucky Oaks victory.
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Coach: Ian Wilkes
Homeowners: Six Column Stables, Randall Bloch, Jim Gladden, Mike Davis, and Michael Steele
Profession document: 4 begins – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Profession earnings: $193,960
Earnings per begin: $48,490
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 83
Kentucky Oaks factors: 50
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Bedford Land, by Speightstown
Shade: Bay
Working model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Into Champagne is an ideal 2-for-2 in dash races however up to now has not been in a position to carry her velocity as successfully navigating two turns whereas stretching out in distance. She was proper within the combine getting into the stretch in each the Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes Offered by FanDuel TV March 2 and the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks Offered by FanDuel TV on March 30, each at Gulfstream Park, however light to complete second by a half-length within the former and a well-beaten third within the latter. Into Champagne can be stretching out an extra sixteenth of a mile to 1 1/8 miles for the primary time within the Kentucky Oaks and seeks her first graded stakes win. Whereas her tactical velocity ought to have her inside hanging distance, or maybe even dueling for the lead, close to the highest of the stretch, the Into Mischief filly has not but proven the stamina wanted to win a Grade 1 race at this distance. Into Champagne ought to play a job within the form of the tempo for the Kentucky Oaks and with a career-best effort may maintain on for a top-three or top-four end, however she would want to take a reasonably important step ahead for even that to occur. Coach Ian Wilkes, jockey Julien Leparoux, and Into Champagne’s possession group all are looking for their first Kentucky Oaks win.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Coach: Chad Brown
Proprietor: Klaravich Stables
Profession document: 3 begins – 1 win – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $165,750
Earnings per begin: $55,250
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 89
Kentucky Oaks factors: 50
Pedigree: Sensible Joke – Sturdy Incentive, by Warrior’s Reward
Shade: Bay
Working model: Stalker/press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Evenly raced Methods and Means made a pleasant impression in her 3-year-old debut when coming back from greater than 6 ½ months off to complete second within the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks Offered by FanDuel TV on March 30. She took the lead in early stretch however couldn’t maintain off Energy Squeeze and completed a size behind the winner. 4-time Eclipse Award-winning coach Chad Brown is a grasp at having horses prepared to fireplace off of lengthy layoffs, however it’s a must to marvel if Methods and Means lacked a little bit of basis in her first begin round two turns whereas coming back from greater than half a yr on the sidelines. In that case, she may take a big step ahead in her second race of the yr at what needs to be interesting odds. The bay filly flashed pure skill as a 2-year-old when successful her debut by 12 ¾ lengths at Saratoga Race Course after which working second within the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes in her second begin. The Kentucky Oaks can be solely the fourth race of Methods and Means’ profession and she or he has but to win a stakes race, however you would argue this Klaravich Stables’ homebred Sensible Joke filly has as a lot upside as any 3-year-old filly within the discipline. She’s a gifted half-sister (similar dam [mother], totally different sire [father]) to Grade 1 winner Surge Capability and stakes winner Extremely Motivated, the 2021 Toyota Blue Gras Stakes runner-up, so Methods and Means may be simply scratching the floor. She profiles as an under-the-radar win candidate for Brown and proprietor Klaravich Stables, who teamed to complete second within the 2021 Kentucky Oaks with Search Outcomes however each are looking for their first win on this race. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione received the Kentucky Oaks for the primary time final yr aboard Fairly Mischievous.
Manama Gold
Jockey: TBD
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Proprietor: Fawzi Abdulla Nass
Profession document: 3 begins – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $197,690
Earnings per begin: $65,897
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: n/a
Kentucky Oaks factors: 50
Pedigree: Star Guitar – Charged Cotton, by Dehere
Shade: Chestnut
Working model: Press the tempo
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Louisiana-bred Manama Gold improved to 3 wins in as many begins with a facile front-running victory by 1 ¼ lengths within the United Arab Emirates Oaks Offered by Longines Feb. 23 at Meydan. The Star Guitar filly has made all three of her begins in Dubai at Meydan, successful her first two races by 2 ½ lengths in December and by 9 ¼ lengths in January. Manama Gold would must be supplemented to compete within the Kentucky Oaks, and journey from the Center East to Louisville additional sophisticated her standing. “After the UAE Oaks [the Kentucky Oaks] was the plan,” new coach Todd Pletcher mentioned April 22. “It was the identical factor as with Shahama [who was sixth in the Kentucky Oaks] two years in the past. However there have been some delays and she or he didn’t clear quarantine till per week in the past.” There’s at all times added attract with an unbeaten racehorse and Manama Gold has finished nothing incorrect up to now, however the about 1 3/16-mile UAE Oaks was a slowly run race in opposition to suspect competitors and she or he was left alone on the lead. Thus, it’s robust to position an excessive amount of inventory in her victorious stakes debut. Add within the journey from the Center East and adapting to a brand new local weather earlier than the most important problem of her profession up to now and the Kentucky Oaks seems to be like a troublesome process for Manama Gold. Coach Todd Pletcher is looking for his fifth win within the Kentucky Oaks after victories with Ashado (2004), Rags to Riches (2007), Princess of Sylmar (2013), and Malathaat (2021).
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Coach: Steve Asmussen
Proprietor: Courtlandt Farms (Donald Adam)
Profession document: 3 begins – 2 wins – 1 seconds – 0 thirds
Profession earnings: $150,200
Earnings per begin: $50,067
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 98
Kentucky Oaks factors: 50
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – Dazzletown, by Speightstown
Shade: Darkish bay or brown
Working model: Pacesetter
Notable achievements and fascinating details: It seems Our Fairly Girl will want a few defections from the principle physique of the sector to attract into the 2024 Kentucky Oaks, but when she does make the beginning gate she may have a big influence on the race. The Medaglia d’Oro filly is likely one of the few confirmed front-runners concentrating on the 1 1/8-mile race and she or he may be the category of that group with a pleasant mixture of velocity and stamina. Our Fairly Girl received her Jan. 18 debut going about one mile and 70 yards on a sloppy monitor at Truthful Grounds by 3 ¼ lengths after urgent the tempo from second earlier than a front-running 4 ¼-length allowance win going 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy floor on the New Orleans monitor Feb. 17. She then set the tempo within the Grade 2 Truthful Grounds Oaks Offered by Fasig-Tipton and held off all however one opponent, potential Kentucky Oaks favourite Tarifa, when second by three-quarters of a size. The 98 Equibase Velocity Determine she earned within the Truthful Grounds Oaks in her first begin on a quick principal monitor paints Our Fairly Girl as a respectable Oaks contender ought to she draw into the sector of 14 fillies. Corridor of Fame coach Steve Asmussen has received the Kentucky Oaks twice beforehand with Summerly (2005) and Untapable (2014). Jockey Joel Rosario, who can be inducted into the Racing Corridor of Fame this summer season, and proprietor Courtlandt Farms are aiming for his or her first Kentucky Oaks win.
Jockey: Luis Saez
Coach: Todd Pletcher
Proprietor: Eclipse Thoroughbred Companions
Profession document: 4 begins – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Profession earnings: $624,675
Earnings per begin: $156,169
Prime Equibase Velocity Determine: 97
Kentucky Oaks factors: 34
Pedigree: Sweet Journey – Toni Instruments, by Roaring Fever
Shade: Bay
Working model: Nearer
Notable achievements and fascinating details: Grade 1 winner Candied, the third-place finisher within the 2023 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, made her much-anticipated 2024 debut in Central Financial institution Ashland Stakes April 5 at Keeneland. She rallied from off the tempo to complete fourth as the favourite in a stable effort in her first race in 5 months. Sadly, she wanted a top-two end to ensure a spot within the Kentucky Oaks and now sits on the skin trying in and needing a number of defections to compete within the race. Candied is one other from among the many also-eligible group who can be a critical participant ought to she attain the beginning gate Might 3 at Churchill, but it surely appears extra doubtless she might want to goal one other race just like the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Might 17. Corridor of Fame coach Todd Pletcher is looking for his fifth win within the Kentucky Oaks after victories with Ashado (2004), Rags to Riches (2007), Princess of Sylmar (2013), and Malathaat (2021). Jockey Luis Saez received the Kentucky Oaks in 2022 aboard Secret Oath.
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