Kentucky Oaks
The big two days at Churchill Downs in May aren’t all about the Kentucky Derby, as bettors will also be making picks for the Kentucky Oaks. This race takes place on Friday, with the opening leg of the Triple Crown taking place 24 hours later.Â
It does an excellent job of raising the anticipation levels before the Kentucky Derby, but it is a huge race in its own right. Fillies aged three compete in the race, and you can find out more about the factors to consider before making Kentucky Oaks picks below.
History of the Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks 2022 will take place 24 hours before the Run of the Roses. The race has been nicknamed the ‘Lillies for the Fillies’ and has been a regular fixture on the U.S. calendar since 1875. It was introduced by the Louisville Jockey Club and founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. It is one of the most significant races on the U.S. calendar, as no other sporting events have been more regularly contested.
Like the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks is also based on the British Epsom Oaks, which has taken place annually since 1779. The race has always taken place in May, but was run in September in 2020 due to COVID-19. This race is the first of three Triple Tiara races for the fillies aged three, with the following two being the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and Acorn Stakes.
Race Information
The Kentucky Oaks 2022 will take place on the second Friday in May. The Kentucky Oaks odds have been available since the edition last year, and like previous editions, it will be run over 1 1/8 miles. Fillies that are aged three are able to enter. The field for the opening leg of the Triple Tiara is made up of horses that have picked up the most points on the Oaks leaderboard.
Horses involved in the race will compete on the dirt at Churchill Downs, with a purse of $1.25 million available. The winning horse in the race will receive $750,000 in the Kentucky Oaks 2022.
Records
Before making picks for the Kentucky Oaks, it is always worth examining the records for the race. The race has been run over the 1 1/8 mile distance since 1982. Shedaresthedevil won the race in 2020 breaking the speed record over that distance, as she crossed the line in 1:48.28. Meanwhile, the record over the previous 1 1/16 mile distance is held by both Ari’s Mona and Sweet Alliance. Felicia, Belle of Nelson, and Katie Creel hold the joint record for the quickest finishing time over 1 ½ miles.
The biggest winning margin in the Kentucky Oaks came in 2009, as Rachel Alexandra finished 20 ¼ lengths clear of the field. Meanwhile, the biggest shock winner in terms of Kentucky Oaks odds came in 2006, as Lemons Forever won at 47/1.
Eddie Arcaro and Manuel Ycaza hold the joint record for most wins as jockeys, as both won on four occasions during their career. Meanwhile, Rosie Napravnik is the only female jockey to win the race. Her second victory came onboard Untapable in 2014. Woody Stephens is the most successful trainer in the history of the race, having won the Oaks on five occasions.
Last 5 Winners
Before making Kentucky Oaks picks, it is always worth examining the previous winners of the race. You can find the previous five winners, along with their Kentucky Oaks odds below.
Year | Winning Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
2021 | Malathaat | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 5/2 F |
2020 | Shedaresthedevil | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 151/10 |
2019 | Serengeti Empress | Tom Amoss | Jose Ortiz | 13/1 |
2018 | Monomoy Girl | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 13/5 |
2017 | Abel Tasman | Bob Baffert | Mike E. Smith | 5/1 |
Â
Tips On How To Win With Horse Racing
The opening leg of the Triple Tiara is often a very competitive affair. However, before making picks for the Kentucky Oaks, it is important to look at a number of factors to ensure that you stand the best chance of having a winner. Below, you can find some helpful tips to follow.
The most important piece of reading that all bettors should do before making Kentucky Oaks picks is the form. Each horse will come into the race with different results under its belt. You should examine each selection, including researching how many wins that horses have recorded, before making a wager.
The form of the trainer is almost as important as the horses themselves. Trainers in excellent form will stand the best chance of claiming victory. Meanwhile, trainers that have previously claimed victories in the Kentucky Oaks, or have outstanding records at Churchill Downs, will have good chances.
Like the Kentucky Derby, the field for the Kentucky Oaks is made up of horses that have performed best in the prep races. Every horse in the field would have needed to perform before the big race. Like the Derby, certain races are more important, which includes the Santa Anita Oaks, Ashland Stakes, and Fantasy Stakes, which are all worth 100 qualifying points.
Find out more about the horse racing betting markets available when wagering on the Kentucky Oaks odds here.
Kentucky Oaks Frequently Asked Questions
The Kentucky Oaks takes place on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby. This year’s race will take place on Friday, May 6th.
Malathaat was a very impressive winner of the Kentucky Oaks in 2021 for trainer Todd Pletcher. She gave the trainer a fourth win in the famous race.
There are important factors to examine before making Kentucky Oaks picks. All bettors should look at the latest form, the trainers’ strike rate, and previous records in graded races.
Only one filly has won the Triple Tiara in its current format. Davona Dale was the only horse to achieve that feat, as she won the Kentucky Oaks, Black-Eyed Susan, and Acorn Stakes in 1979.
The Kentucky Oaks preps races take place between September and April. Six races are worth 100 qualifying points: the Ashland, Gazelle, Santa Anita Oaks, Fantasy, Gulfstream Park Oaks, and the Fair Grounds Oaks.
