Latest news with #LiliesfortheFillies'
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What is the Kentucky Oaks? Everything to know about major race before Kentucky Derby
What is the Kentucky Oaks? Everything to know about major race before Kentucky Derby Show Caption Hide Caption Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone shares Kentucky Oaks pick Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone makes his prediction for which horse will win the 2025 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Before the Kentucky Derby, another one of horse racing's oldest races provides fireworks at Churchill Downs the day prior. Celebrating its 151st run, the Kentucky Oaks will once again serve as the opening act to the Run for the Roses in Louisville, Kentucky, with a post time of 5:51 p.m. ET on Friday, May 2. The Kentucky Oaks is scheduled to be the 11th race Friday at Churchill Downs. Thorpedo Anna won the Kentucky Oaks last year. Its trainer, Kenny McPeek, followed that victory up by winning the Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan — making him the first trainer since 1952 and the fourth overall to win both races in the same year. One potential contender in this year's Kentucky Oaks is Good Cheer, which is running out of the No. 11 post position and enters Friday's race undefeated in six starts. Horsing Nation's Ed DeRosa is calling Simply Joking a potential dark horse candidate because of Simply Joking's speed. Here's what you need to know about the Kentucky Oaks: REQUIRED READING: How much are Kentucky Derby tickets? Churchill Downs 2025 prices What is the Kentucky Oaks? The Kentucky Oaks is the sister version of the Kentucky Derby, as it is comprised of only 3-year-old fillies. It always takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby runs at Churchill Downs, and has a purse of $1.5 million, per the Kentucky Derby website. The winner of the Kentucky Oaks is given "the iconic 'Lilies for the Fillies' garland" in the winners' circle after the race. The 2025 Kentucky Oaks is the 151st running of the event, making it one of the longest-running sporting events in the United States. REQUIRED READING: What are the horses' numbers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby? Who competes in the Kentucky Oaks? The Kentucky Oaks is for 3-year-old fillies. The field for the Kentucky Oaks is a bit smaller than the Kentucky Derby's and consists of 14 horses. How long is the Kentucky Oaks? One major difference between the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby is the distance of the two races. The Kentucky Oaks is 1⅛ miles long, while the Kentucky Derby is 1¼ miles long. Kentucky Oaks post positions Here are the post positions for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks: Early On Simply Joking Fondly Drexel Hill Quickick Ballerina D'Oro La Cara Five G Tenma Take Charge Milady Good Cheer Anna's Promise Bless The Broken Quietside REQUIRED READING: Kentucky Derby winners: History of winning horses at Churchill Downs since 1875 Kentucky Oaks odds Ordering based on post positions. Odds as of Thursday, May 1 Here's the odds for the Kentucky Oaks, according to the Kentucky Derby website: Early On | Morning line odds: 30-1 Simply Joking | Morning line odds: 10-1 Fondly | Morning line odds: 30-1 Drexel Hill | Morning line odds: 30-1 Quickick | Morning line odds: 30-1 Ballerina D'Oro | Morning line odds: 10-1 La Cara | Morning line odds: 6-1 Five G | Morning line odds: 12-1 Tenma | Morning line odds: 12-1 Take Charge Milady | Morning line odds: 12-1 Good Cheer | Morning line odds: 6-5 Anna's Promise | Morning line odds: 30-1 Bless The Broken | Morning line odds: 30-1 Quietside | Morning line odds: 8-1 Kentucky Oaks 2025: TV, time, streaming options Date: Friday, May 2 Friday, May 2 Time: 5:51 p.m. ET 5:51 p.m. ET Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) TV channel: USA Network USA Network Streaming options: Peacock | Fubo (free trial) The 2025 Kentucky Oaks has a post time of 5:51 p.m. ET on Friday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is scheduled to be the 11th race of the day at Churchill Downs. USA Network will nationally broadcast Friday's run of the Kentucky Oaks. Streaming options include Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which carries NBC and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kentucky Oaks odds: Betting favorites for 2025 'Lilies for the Fillies'
Kentucky Oaks odds: Betting favorites for 2025 'Lilies for the Fillies' Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2025 frequently asked questions answered In this episode of The Best Two Minutes with Ed DeRosa, he explains what to know about Kentucky Derby, including post time, horses and infield seats. The Kentucky Derby isn't the only major race at Churchill Downs in the coming days, with the Kentucky Oaks among horse racing's biggest occasions. The 1 ⅛-mile race race for three-year-old fillies comes with a $1.5 million purse (with the winner's share set at just under $850,000), with the winner also claiming the famous garland of lilies. The winning trainer is presented with the silver Kentucky Oaks Trophy. Good Cheer, who has not lost a race in six starts, is the clear favorite in the 14-horse field, with the filly continuing a trend of trainer Brad Cox's stable producing the top horses for the Oaks. However, the favorite didn't claim victory in 2023 or 2024, leaving the door open for what figures to be an eventful race on Friday. Here are odds for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks, along with how to watch the race: 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY: Latest odds, field from Churchill Downs Kentucky Oaks odds: Latest lines for 2025 race Here are the latest odds for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks, per on Wednesday, April 30. Horses are listed in order of post position. Early On: 40-1 Simply Joking: 8-1 Fondly: 20-1 Drexel Hill: 39-1 Quickick: 37-1 Ballerina D'Oro: 11-1 La Cara: 8-1 Five G: 20-1 Tenma: 8-1 Take Charge Milady: 15-1 Good Cheer: 8-5 Anna's Promise: 19-1 Bless The Broken: 13-1 Quietside: 8-1 Kentucky Oaks 2025: TV, streaming and where to watch When: Friday, May 2 Friday, May 2 Coverage starts : 1 p.m. ET : 1 p.m. ET Post time: 5:51 p.m. ET 5:51 p.m. ET Where: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) Cable TV: USA Network USA Network Streaming: Fubo, Peacock Watch the 2025 Kentucky Oaks on Fubo
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Analyzing the 2025 Kentucky Oaks field: Favorites, contenders and long shots
'Lilies for the Fillies' isn't quite as well-known as 'Run for the Roses,' but the blanket of lilies that drapes over the winner of the Kentucky Oaks is no less coveted by those with connections to the 14 fillies running Friday at Churchill Downs. Last year's winner, Thorpedo Anna, went on to win Horse of the Year honors and end 2024 with earnings of $3.6 million. While we can't expect another super-filly to emerge from this year's Oaks, we can expect a competitive race and plenty of opportunities to cash tickets. Advertisement Below is a full breakdown of the field for this year's Kentucky Oaks, in post position order. Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, and Bradley Kent Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Edgard Zayas Morning line odds: 30-1 This long shot has compiled a decent record, finishing out of the top three only once in six races, but that's the headline, not the story. She's won just once; she took four races to break her maiden; and she's never run in a race at nearly this level. She did finish second by a nose in her only attempt in a graded stakes race — her last out on April 5 — and the horse that beat her, Ballerina d'Oro, is in the Oaks field. Early On's speed figures place her far below what is likely to be competitive here. Owner: Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, Berkels0813, and CMNWLTH Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Florent Geroux Morning line odds: 10-1 One of the many fillies here who likes to use her speed to gain an early advantage, though she did come from behind to win her first start. Trainer Beckman opted to skip the usual maiden race for her debut, running her in a minor stakes race at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. She won an Oaks prep race there in January — over a sloppy track — and was second to Quietside, a serious contender here, in her only loss. She intrigues at what's likely to be a moderate price, though her short résumé might be a concern. Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables Trainer: Graham Motion Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Morning line odds: 30-1 Graham Motion isn't the sort of trainer to run a horse just to take a shot, and he's known to spring an upset at a favorable price. That said, Fondly is up against it. She's run just twice, winning both, and she had no problem moving from seven furlongs to a mile and 1/16th, suggesting the increased distance may not be a problem. She's never run in a graded stakes race or against company like this, but she's shown she can stalk a pace if necessary. With one of the country's best jockeys in the saddle and one of its most esteemed trainers behind her, don't overlook her, especially underneath in vertical exotics. Advertisement Owner: Legion Racing Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Ben Curtis Morning line odds: 30-1 The second of two horses in the Oaks trained by Louisville's Whit Beckman, Drexel Hill looks to be significantly outmatched. Despite making seven starts, she's never run in a graded stakes race, nor has she raced beyond a mile. She is a closer in a field of speed horses, which could be an advantage, but unless something changes between now and Friday, she's just not fast enough. Owner: Greenwell Thoroughbreds Trainer: Tom Amoss Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Morning line odds: 30-1 This $550,000 yearling purchase looked like a promising filly last year as a 2-year-old. Trainer Amoss started her at two of the country's most prestigious, competitive meets at Saratoga and Keeneland, and she ended the year with a record of one win, one second and two thirds in four races. In two starts this year, she's not the same filly, winless so far in 2025 and really not competitive. She'll need a major turnaround to hit the board here. Owner: Rodeo Creek Racing Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Flavien Prat Morning line odds: 10-1 She comes to the race off the narrowest of wins in the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct in early April, her first win since breaking her maiden last September. She's been a factor, though, finishing second in the Grade 2 Demoiselle last December, and she finished third in her first start this year off a three-month layoff. She's a versatile runner, comfortable stalking or coming from off the pace, and her speed figures say she can run with her rivals here. Owner: Tracy Farmer Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Morning line odds: 6-1 She's been running in top company since breaking her maiden at Saratoga last summer, and aside from a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she's done pretty much nothing wrong. She's won two out of three this year, finishing second once, and she's got two graded stakes wins to her credit, including her last race, the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She didn't run well in her lone start on an off track (which was also her first start), so maybe tread cautiously if the rains come. Advertisement Owner: Gatsas Stables Trainer: George Weaver Jockey: Manuel Franco Morning line odds: 12-1 Speedy and consistent, this filly has met every challenge thrown at her (except for that stinker of a first start back in August). She's won on turf. She's won on dirt. She relishes distance, and she racked up Oaks qualifying points, finishing fifth on the final leaderboard. She's another wanting to run on or close to the pace, and her speed figures are among the best in the field. She'll be on my tickets. Owner: Baoma Corporation Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Juan Hernandez Morning line odds: 12-1 Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs. The Hall of Fame trainer was banned by the track for three years after his horse, Medina Spirit, failed a post-race drug test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby. No one will be surprised if he's back in the Louisville winner's circle that he knows so well. However, Baffert's not known for training closers, and this $850,000 filly is also not a closer — though she did come from off the pace in two early races. If she can rate in anticipation of a possible speed duel, she's poised to add to her already substantial trophy collection. She's won five of six starts, including four graded stakes. Owner: James Ball, Magdalena Racing, and Kenneth Rhodes Trainer: Ken McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Morning line odds: 12-1 A year ago, trainer Ken McPeek brought a modestly bred $40,000 filly to this race, and eight months later, that horse, Thorpedo Anna, was voted Horse of the Year. This filly cost $60,000, though her breeding is a little more impressive, and while she's no Thorpedo Anna, she's run well against her rivals here, aside from a clunker in the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park in February. She's got a versatile running style, and while a win might be out of reach, she should be competitive if she's in top form. Given that multiple outlets have reported that she's dealing with a foot abscess, that's a big 'if,' so proceed cautiously. Advertisement Owner: Godolphin Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luis Saez Morning line odds: 6-5 Undefeated in six starts, she's never been seriously challenged, winning by multiple lengths even as the competition got stiffer and the distances got longer. She won an allowance race by 17 lengths over a sloppy track, and her stalking/closing style is pretty well suited for a race with this much speed. 6-5 is tough to take in a race like this, so I'm happy to let her beat me, but this is one impressive filly. Owner: Bell Racing Trainer: Carlos David Jockey: Junior Alvarado Morning line odds: 30-1 Three months ago, this filly was winless and running in maiden claimers, the lowest tier of racing. She claimed for $50,000, and after winning an optional claimer for new trainer Carlos David, she ran second in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, earning enough points to eke into the Oaks field. She'll be on or close to the pace, and her speed figures since being claimed suggest that she can run with these fillies, something unimaginable a few months ago. Owner: Cypress Creek Equine and Madaket Stables Trainer: Will Walden Jockey: John Velazquez Morning line odds: 30-1 This filly will indeed need to be blessed to have a shot. She's never run in a graded stakes race, and her speed figures are well below what she'll need to be competitive. An off track might move her up a bit, and her stalking/closing style could be useful, but there's nothing on paper that suggests that she'll factor. Owner: Shortleaf Stable Trainer: John Ortiz Jockey: José Ortiz Morning line odds: 8-1 Quietside is an ultra-competitive filly that's never finished worse than third in seven lifetime starts. A multiple stakes winner, she's run in top company since breaking her maiden at Saratoga by 6 1/4 lengths, earning enough Oaks qualifying points to top the final leaderboard at the end of the prep season. This far outside post does her no favors, but she's the one I'm taking. She's got a shot to beat Good Cheer.
