The fillies never get the press the boys do, but on Friday they get the spotlight in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. On Tuesday the post positions were drawn for the 134th Kentucky Oaks and a field
of 12 3-year-old fillies made the entry box for this $500,000 Grade 1 event over 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
As expected, trainer Larry Jones entered both Eight Belles and Proud Spell, however Eight Belles will also be entered in the Kentucky Derby and will scratch from the Oaks and go to the Derby unless she draws a bad post. They are the top favorites at 5-2 and 7-2 respectively.
The 4-1 third choice is the Bobby Frankel trained Country Star, winner of the Darley Alcibiades and Hollywood Starlet last year and fifth in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in her only 2008 start.
For more info, news, and notes on the Oaks, check the special Oaks website from Churchill Downs. Free past performances will be available from DRF. You can watch most of the Oaks card on ESPN2 on Friday afternoon. The Oaks itself will be on ESPN2 from 5:00-6:00pm EDT with a post time of 5:45pm.
Here are the entries for the Kentucky Oaks. Be sure to click the link on each horse's name to view full info, stats, and a photo from Churchill Downs. All starters carry 121 lbs.
Manhattan Handicap (G1) and Just a Game Stakes (G1) Results - On the Belmont undercard, Gio Ponti won over Marsh Side and Better Talk Now in the Manhattan Handicap, while Diamondrella beat favorite Forever Together in the Just a Game Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Acorn Stakes (G1), True North Handicap (G2), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) Results - Also on the Belmont undercard, Gabby's Golden Gal upset favorite Justwhistledixie in the Acorn, top choice Fabulous Strike beat defending champ Benny the Bull in the True North Handicap, and Munnings won by 5 1/4 lengths in the Woody Stephens Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Brooklyn Handicap (G2) and Hill Prince Stakes - Eldaafer got up by a nose to win the Brooklyn Handicap over pacesetter Nite Light in the slop, with favorite Rising Moon third. In the Hill Prince Stakes, which was taken off the turf, Despite the Odds drew away to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2009 Belmont Stakes Entries - A field of 10 was entered with Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird the 2-1 morning line favorite from post 7. Get the entries, post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Belmont Stakes Friday Workouts - Photos of 5 of the Belmont Stakes horses on the sloppy track in the rain Friday morning, including Mine That Bird. Get the details and photos here.
Belmont Contenders Weekend Workouts - Five of the likely entrants for next weekend's Belmont Stakes had timed works at Belmont Park on May 30-31, including Charitable Man and Dunkirk. Get the details and photos here.
Rachel Alexandra wins the Preakness - She led most of the way and was ahead by 4 at the top of the stretch, then held off Mine That Bird by a length. Musket Man was another 1/2 length back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, most of them grade 2 or 3, including the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Parading.
