Post Positions and Morning-Line Betting Odds For the 147th Kentucky Oaks

 On Friday, 30 April, the 147th running (or 148th, if you count the two Oaks races in 1959) of the Kentucky Oaks will occur.  It's the first jewel in the Triple Tiara for fillies, and is always run the day before the Kentucky Derby.  This race is for 3-year-old fillies only.  They race at Churchill Downs for a guaranteed purse of $1,250,000.  The girls carry 121 pounds each over a route of 9 furlongs (1 1/8 miles) on the main dirt track.  This year the gate time is listed as 5:51 EDT.

   The post positions and betting odds were drawn and set on Monday.  Today, Ava's Grace, who had drawn the 7 post, was scratched and taken to the Hagyard Equine Center outside of Lexington for a full evaluation.  Her exact problem is unknown, but the trainer and owners decided she needed a thorough check-up.

   With Ava's Grace out of the race, there are now 13 entries, all bred in Kentucky.  Four of the fillies are gray/roan, two are chestnut, and the other seven are bays.  Ten stallions are represented by the thirteen fillies; Flatter sired two, Pass the Champagne and Search Results; Curlin sired three, Clairiere, Malathaat, and Millefeuille.  Malathaat, trained by Todd Pletcher, is the morning-line betting favorite at 5 to 2, and is undefeated.

Malathaat working out for the Kentucky Oaks

   Trainer Steve Asmussen has two entries:  Pauline's Pearl and Clairiene; as does Brad Cox with Travel Column and Coach.

    I am listing the post position, entry name, morning line betting odds, sire, and dam:

1.    Pauline's Pearl             20 to 1        Tapit      Hot Dixie Chick

2.    Maracuja                     20 to 1        Honor Code      Patti's Regal Song

3.    Clairiere                        5 to 1         Curlin      Cavorting

4.    Crazy Beautiful           15 to 1        Liam's Map      Indian Burn

5.    Pass the Champagne   15 to 1         Flatter      Champagne Taste

6.    Travel Column             3 to 1          Frosted      Swingit

7.    Ava's Grace                 50 to 1         Laoban      Cover Girl Elle

8.    Moraz                          30 to 1         Empire Maker      Malvinia

9.    Coach                          50 to 1         Commissioner      And Stay Out

10.  Malathaat                      5 to 2          Curlin      Dreaming of Julia

11.  Will's Secret                30 to 1          Will Take Charge      Girls Secret

12.  Search Results              3 to 1          Flatter      Co Cola

13.  Competitive Speed     50 to 1          Competitive Edge      Shopped Out

14.  Millefeuille                 20 to 1          Curlin      Bandana