The Kentucky Oaks is set for Friday evening, carded as Race 11 at Churchill Downs with a post time of 5:51 p.m.
Ahead of the race, Horse Racing Nation contributors weighed in with their picks. In coming to your own conclusions, check out free past performances for the race from our friends at Brisnet.
Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace
Winner: #10 Malathaat
On the board: #5 Pass the Champagne
Long shot I like: #3 Clairiere
Analysis: Malathaat enters the Oaks undefeated with a 4 for 4 record, including the recent Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland off a 119-day layoff. Although Malathaat's speed figures are not too high, the 106 TimeformUS Speed Figure for winning the Ashland is competitive relative to this slow-ish group of fillies.
Pass the Champagne deserves respect as well for only losing by a neck. Malathaat and Pass the Champagne are usable in an Oaks/Derby Double with Rock Your World and Medina Spirit.going. His works have been impressive over the Fair Grounds track, and he's one of the most experienced horses in the race.
Matt Shifman, New York State of Racing
Winner: #10 Malathaat
On the board: #12 Search Results
Longshot I like: #2 Maracuja
Analysis: Malathaat may just be the next 3-year-old filly star. Travel Column and Clairiere have been on top of the division while racing against each other and it may be time for others in the Oaks. I'll use Malthaat with Pauline's Pearl, Maracuja, Pass the Campagne, and Search Results.
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Ashley Tamulonis, From Coast to Coast
Winner: #6 Travel Column
On the board: #3 Clairiere
Long shot I like: #5 Pass the Champagne
Analysis: Travel Column is undefeated at Churchill Downs and shows up every race. Along with Clairiere, we have a budding rivalry that should continue to blossom. I really liked how game Pass the Champagne was in defeat in the Ashland and believe that she will move forward from what proved to be a good learning experience. Malathaat is to be respected, but I like the Fair Grounds fillies better.
Chip Gehrke, Dr. Derby
Winner: #10 Malathaat, #12 Search Results
On the board: #4 Crazy Beautiful, #5 Pass the Champagne
Long shot I like: #4 Crazy Beautiful, #5 Pass the Champagne
Analysis: Malathaat has had only one start this year but it was an impressive one, reeling in a tough Pass the Champagne in the late stages of the Ashland at Keeneland. Unbeaten in four starts, she may end up the favorite.
Search Results has done nothing wrong as she is unbeaten in three starts for trainer Chad Brown with her last win coming in the Gazelle (G3). The likely winner of this race should come from one of these top two. Pass the Champagne almost pulled off the Ashland upset, and I expect her to be in the thick of it turning for home. Crazy Beautiful was impressive in the Gulfstream Park Oaks and has run well at Churchill Downs before.
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Laura Pugh, Dueling Down the Stretch
Winner: #3 Clairiere
On the board: #10 Malathaat
Long shot I like: #5 Pass the Champagne
Analysis: 5-7 all want the lead & with them being next to each other we should see an honest pace. That will set things up for Clairiere. Malathaat should get a great stalking trip as well and will wear down the tired pace setters.
Victor Ryan
Winner: #3 Clairiere
On the board: #5 Pass the Champagne, #10 Malathaat
Long shot I like: #9 Coach
Analysis: This looks to be a stellar edition of the Oaks with no shortage of win contenders. Clairiere was hung a little wide on both turns in the Fair Grounds Oaks and didn't have much pace to run at. We'll look for the well-bred filly to rebound at Churchill Downs, a track she is proven to like. Coach isn't far off on numbers and was gaining late in the Fantasy. Saez is a huge upgrade in the irons and at 50-1 on the morning line, we'll look for her to possibly spice up the exotics.
Ron Flatter
Winner: #3 Clairiere
On the board: #6 Travel Column
Long shot I like: #5 Pass the Champagne
Analysis: In what may be the best rivalry in racing, the pace will be more to Clairiere's liking than it was when she lost to Travel Column in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Pass the Champagne is sneaky good.
Candice Curtis
Winner: #3 Clairiere
On the board: #6 Travel Column
Long shot I like: #5 Pass the Champagne
Analysis: Clairiere has shown she can fight this spring, and though Travel Column got the better of her last out, I think the daughter of Curlin and Cavorting has the upper hand in the stretch-out. Pass the Champagne ran a big second to Malathaat and will be a price.
Mark Midland
Winner: #10 Malathaat
On the board: #12 Search Results
Long shot I like: #4 Crazy Beautiful
Analysis: This is such a great and competitive Oaks. A lot of handicappers will look to #12 Search Results to be advantaged as the only speed, but look for #5 Pass the Champagne and #6 Travel Column to push to the front and keep the pace at least honest. #10 Malathaat can track everyone and push past Search Results for the win.
For Trifectas and Superfectas, look out for longshots #4 Crazy Beautiful, #11 Will's Secret and possibly #1 Pauline's Pearl.
Wagers: $1 Trifecta 10,12 with 4,10,12 with 4,1
$1 Superfecta 10,12 with 4,10,12 with 2,4,5,6,10,11,12 with 1,4,9,11
