Ron Wood
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When is the 2023 Kentucky Oaks Race?
The Kentucky Oaks is on Friday, May 5, at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
2023 Kentucky Oaks Post Time
Post time for the 2023 Kentucky Oaks is 5:51 pm ET.
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Kentucky Oaks Odds – Who is Favorite to Win the KY Oaks in 2023?
Wet Paint, trained by Brad Cox, is the current favorite to win the Kentucky Oaks at 5/2, but not far behind in the betting is her stablemate Botanical at 4/1, with Southlawn next in the betting at 8/1. Below is a list of each horse running in the Kentucky Oaks and their odds from FanDuel.
Wet Paint 5/2
Botanical 4/1
Southlawn 8/1
Affirmative Lady 10/1
Pretty Mischievous 10/1
Wonder Wheel 12/1
Defining Purpose 12/1
The Alys Look 15/1
Gambling Girl 15/1
And Tell Me Nolies 15/1
Flying Connection 15/1
Julia Shining 15/1
Mimi Kakushi 20/1
Dorth Vader 20/1
Taxed 20/1
Promiseher America 30/1
Hoosier Philly 30/1
Get all the need-to-know info for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, including when post time is, TV channel details and how to bet on it
Kentucky Oaks 2023 Horses and Runner-by-Runner Guide
There are 17 horses declared to run in the Kentucky Oaks, with 14 able to run and 3 reserves. Below is the name and number of each horse, as well as a quick guide to how they might perform from our horse racing expert.
1 Mimi Kakushi
Mimi Kakushi has won her last 3 starts in Dubai, notably the UAE 1,000 Guineas and the 9.5-furlong Group 3 UAE Oaks. She probably still has improvement in her, but much more is required now.
2 The Alys Look
One of 3 runners for Brad Cox, who had the winners of this race in 2018 and 2020. She struggled behind 2 of these rivals in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks.
3 Gambling Girl
Gambling Girl had looked nothing out of the ordinary, but showed some improvement when a half-length 2nd to Promiseher America in the 1m1f Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct, doing well from off a slow pace. She has a top jockey and trainer (Todd Pletcher has trained the winner of this 4 times), so could progress some more.
4 Southlawn
Southlawn has won her last 2 starts since being returned to the dirt, notably the 8.5f Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks, although her time was modest.
5 Wonder Wheel
Wonder Wheel won 2 8.5-furlong Grade 1 races at Keeneland last year, notably the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, but she has been beaten in both races this season, most recently behind 2 of these rivals when unplaced in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland.
6 Botanical
Botanical has won 4 1m/8.5-furlong all-weather events at Turfway Park, recording some fast times, but this is her first dirt start. Her dam won a Grade 3 on dirt, though.
7 Wet Paint
Unbeaten in 4 races on dirt, including 2 8.5f Grade 3s at Oaklawn, when closing from well off the pace. She will need this race to unfold to suit.
8 Promiseher America
A lightly-raced improver who won her maiden on her third start and followed up in the 1m1f Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct. She needs to progress again.
9 And Tell Me Nolies
A Grade 1-winning 2-year-old who has finished runner-up in 2 8.5-furlong Santa Anita Graded races this term. She may not be up to this but is capable of running well.
10 Flying Connection
Flying Connection has front-running wins in 1m/8.5f stakes races at Sunland Park in her last 2 starts and may lead the field early, but it will be a surprise if she sees out this trip best.
11 Defining Purpose
Her maiden win came at this venue and she improved for a 20-1 win in the 8.5f Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland in her latest start. The first 3 finishers in that latest race were covered by under a length, but the time wasn’t bad. Has a chance.
12 Dorth Vader
Won the 1m Grade 2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream 2 races ago but had a tough trip when only 4th behind Affirmative Lady in the 8.5f Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. Has the speed to get involved, but others look a more complete package.
13 Affirmative Lady
She has won both races since being blinkered, improving from a maiden win to land the 8.5f Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. She has plenty to find on speed figures but is open to further progress.
14 Pretty Mischievous
Won a 8.5f Fair Grounds Grade 2 and was 2nd in another, beaten by Southlawn, in her latest race. Newly-fitted blinkers may help.
15/R1 Taxed
Taxed was claimed for $50,000 last year but has finished behind Wet Paint on her last 3 starts. First reserve.
16/R2 Julia Shining
She stays well and won the 1m1f Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct last year. She was most recently a close 3rd behind Defining Purpose in the 8.5f Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland and it’s a shame she’s only on the reserves’ list.
17/R3 Hoosier Philly
Won the 8.5f Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs last year but has been behind some of these rivals in 8.5f Grade 2s at Fair Grounds in both races this season. Third reserve.
2023 Kentucky Oaks Picks, Predictions & Best Bets
This looks far from a vintage Kentucky Oaks and perhaps DEFINING PURPOSE can follow up her Grade 1 Ashland success. Her maiden win came at Churchill Downs and she’s still improving. Gambling Girl is the second pick for a trainer who has won this race 4 times.
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