All the horse racing attention will be on Churchill Downs this weekend, as the opening leg of the Triple Crown is staged on Saturday. However, before the Kentucky Derby is staged on Saturday, the attention will be on the fillies, as the Kentucky Oaks 2023 is run on Friday.
Before Betting On Kentucky Oaks 2023
Kentucky Derby weekend kicks off on Friday, as the Kentucky Oaks 2023 is staged at Churchill Downs. The Grade 1 is run by fillies aged three, and a total distance of 1 1/8 miles is covered. Secret Oath gave D. Wayne Lukas a famous win in the race last year, while other recent winners including Malathaat, Shedaresthedevil, and Monomoy Girl.
This year’s race looks a competitive renewal, and it’s Wet Paint that leads the betting at this early stage. The runner for Brad Cox will start for stall seven, and she comes into the Oaks after winning four of her six career starts. Since a poor debut on turf, she has subsequently landed three straight stakes victories this year, including a victory in the G3 Fantasy at Oaklawn, reaching an Equibase speed figure of 97.
Cox has the top two in the betting for the Oaks this weekend, with Botanical currently the second favorite. Like her stablemate, she is unbeaten across three starts this term, with her latest win coming at Turfway in the Bourbonette Oaks, reaching an Equibase rating of 112.
However, it could be argued Southlawn boasts the most impressive form in the race. The three-year-old stormed clear of Pretty Mischievous in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks on her previous start, reaching a rating of 102. She looks to be the contender that is progressing the most rapidly, and at +750, she presents unquestionable value.
Kentucky Oaks 2023 Offshore Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Wet Paint | +300 |
| Botanical | +500 |
| Southlawn | +750 |
| Affirmative Lady | +1000 |
| Pretty Mischievous | +1000 |
| Wonder Wheel | +1400 |
| Gambling Girl | +1600 |
| Defining Purpose | +1600 |
The Kentucky Oaks is always the best way to kick off Derby weekend, and this year’s race looks an exciting renewal. I’d be prepared to take on the Cox pair at the prices, and Southlawn could be a runner to stay on the right side of.
Wonder Wheel is a runner I’d be prepared to use underneath despite failing to hit the heights of her two-year-old campaign that landed success in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Defining Purpose is another runner that could out-perform her odds for Kenny McPeek.
