The fillies never get the press the boys do, but on Friday they get the spotlight in the Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. On Tuesday the post positions were drawn for the 140th Longines Kentucky Oaks and a field of 13 3-year-old fillies made the entry box for this $1,000,000 Grade 1 event over 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
As expected, Untapable is the 4-5 morning line favorite despite drawing the far outside post. The Steve Asmussen trainee comes to Louisville off wins in the Rachel Alexandra (G3) and the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Regular rider Rosie Napravnik will be in the irons on Friday. In to challenge her include 6-1 second choice Fashion Plate out of post 7, winner of three straight at Santa Anita including the Las Virgenes (G1) and the Santa Anita Oaks (G1). Regular rider Gary Stevens will be in the irons for trainer Simon Callaghan. Two fillies are listed at 8-1 third choice on Mike Battaglia's morning line. Rosalind, dead-heat winner of the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland, drew post 4 for trainer Ken McPeek and regular rider Joel Rosario, while My Miss Sophia, winner of the Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct, drew post 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Javier Castellano.
For more info, news, and notes on the Oaks, check the special Oaks website from Churchill Downs. Free past performances should be available soon from BRISnet here (look for Got Lucky). Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is 5:45pm and you can watch it on NBC Sports Network Friday afternoon from 3-6pm EDT.
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.
Tonalist upsets in the Belmont Stakes - He just got up to beat pacesetter Commissioner by a head with Medal Count third at Belmont Park on Saturday. Heavy favorite California Chrome had a bad start finished in a dead heat for 4th with Wicked Strong. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
True North Stakes and Belmont Gold Cup - Friday before the Belmont Stakes was headlined by the True North Stakes (G2) won by Palace along with the first running of the 2 mile Belmont Gold Cup won by Charming Kitten. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Belmont Stakes Friday Photos - Photos from the morning works on the Friday before the 2014 Belmont Stakes, including California Chrome, Commanding Curve, Tonalist, and Ride On Curlin.
2014 Belmont Entries - A field of 11 was entered with California Chrome the favorite at 3-5 breaking form post 2. Check out the horses with post positions, morning line odds, full profiles and free past performances here.
Belmont Stakes Workout Photos - Photos from the morning works on the Saturday before the 2014 Belmont Stakes, featuring Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome in his final timed work before the big race. Also out were Commanding Curve, Tonalist, and Ride On Curlin.
Analyzing the Belmont Stakes Contenders - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Belmont winner. California Chrome is not alone on top!
California Chrome romps in the Preakness (G1) - He took charge in the stretch and won by 1 1/2 lengths over late closing Ride On Curlin on Saturday at Pimlico with Social Inclusion 6 1/2 lengths farther back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Preakness Undercard Stakes Results - There were 7 other stakes on Preakness day including the Dixie (G2) won by Utley and the Gallorette Handicap (G3) won by Somali Lemonade. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 7 races here.
Stopchargingmaria wins the Black-Eyed Susan - Stopchargingmaria duelled with Vero Amore down the stretch and won by a neck in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday at Pimlico with Fortune Pearl third and favorite Sloane Square 9th. On the undercard, Revolutionary won the Pimlico Special (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos for all the stakes on the card here.
2014 Preakness Thursday Photos - Nine of the 10 Preakness entrants are at the Pimlico stakes barn and most of them went out on a foggy Thursday morning. Check out photos for each here.
2014 Preakness Entries - A field of 10 was entered on Wednesday with Derby winner California Chrome the 3-5 favorite drawing post 3. Check out the horses with post positions, morning line odds, and free past performances here.
California Chrome wins the Kentucky Derby - California Chrome stalked the pace then took the lead after a mile and drew off to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 1 3/4 lengths over longshot Commanding Curve and Damza. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Analyzing the Top Derby Contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends.
Kentucky Derby Barn Notes - daily news and notes for the Derby and Oaks contenders for April 18 to May 1
Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard - the points earned by contenders in these designated prep races are what will determine who gets in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks at entry time this year. Updated weekly.
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2014 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the bad picks. Revamped for 2014 to new format with additional info.
Security still tight for 2014 - if you are going to the Derby or Oaks be sure to check here to find out what you can bring in with you. The enhanced security from last year is back again so no big cameras, camcorders, big purses, or coolers. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager - This year there were 4 pools starting in November of 2013 plus a single pool for the Oaks. Surprisingly, thie field of all other 3-year-olds was the favorite in all 4 pools.
