Kentucky Oaks Betting Preview

A good 24 hours before the gate is loaded for the 142nd running of the Run for the Roses, the ladies will take to the racetrack at Churchill Downs in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1).

A full field of 14 three-year-old fillies will line up in the historic race which has been won in recent years by greats like Ashado, Rags to Riches and Rachel Alexandra.

Ashado, the 2004 Sportsbook, went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), earning nearly $4 million and entered racing’s Hall of Fame in 2014.

Rags to Riches went on five weeks later to beat the boys in the 2007 Belmont Stakes (G1).

Rachel Alexandra in 2009 turned around 13 days later and beat the boys in the Preakness Stakes (G1). She was named Horse of the Year.

Rachel headed to the breeding shed, and one of her offspring is the talented Rachel’s Valentina, who is the 7-2 morning line favorite for this year’s Kentucky Oaks. She is currently listed at odds of 13-5 at Sportsbook.

The Todd Pletcher trainee will break from post 11 and is coming off a neck loss in the Ashland (G1) in her lone start this year. She was beaten by 30-1 longshot Weep No More, who she faces again on Friday. Weep No More is 9-2 on the morning line and in early Oaks betting at Sportsbook stands at 7-1.

Lewis Bay will be sent out by trainer Chad Brown and is at odds of 6-1. The filly won the Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct in her last outing.

Cathryn Sophia won her first four career starts before getting upset as the betting favorite in the Ashland where she finished third, beaten a half-length. Her current odds at Sportsbook are 5-1.

Land Over Sea won the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in her last start for trainer Doug O’Neill, who will be looking for an Oaks-Derby Double with Nyquist on Saturday. The filly is listed at Oaks betting odds of 11-2.

Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) Sportsbook Go Maggie Go is listed at betting odds of 12-1 and is undefeated in her two career starts.

Post time for the Oaks is 5:49 ET and will be televised live on the NBC Sports Network.

Selections: Lewis Bay – Rachel’s Valentina – Cathryn Sophia

Check out Sportsbook for the latest betting odds for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby along with props and match up wagers.

Handicapper Michael Dempsey provides his full card analysis for Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day at turfnsport.com. Oddsshark readers can use the coupon code “sport” for 20% off reports!