Paradise Woods is the 5-2 morning line favorite for Friday’s $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) (Photo credit: Churchill Downs).
The $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday drew a full field of 14 fillies along with an also-eligible, led by Paradise Woods, who as installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite.
The Oaks Day card features five supporting stakes on an outstanding 13-race card— the Grade 3 $150,000 Edgewood, Grade 2 $200,000 Eight Belles, Grade 2 $400,000 Alysheba, Grade 2 $300,000 La Troienne and the Grade 3 $150,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint.
The Richard Mandella trained Paradise Woods ships in from Southern California where she won the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) by 11 ¾ lengths in gate to wire fashion in her first start against winners.
The daughter of Union Rags will break from the four post with Flavien Prat in the irons.
The filly is down to 8-5 in early Kentucky Oaks wagering at US Racing.
Miss Sky Warrior is the second choice on the morning line at 9-2. The Kelly Breen trainee comes into the Oaks riding a four-race winning streak.
She started off her three-year-old campaign by winning the Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream Park on March 4 and then came back to win the Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct by 13 lengths.
Farrell (5-1) figures to take some betting action and she has won four races in a row by a combined 15 ½ lengths.
The Wayne Catalano trainee rolled through Fair Grounds, winning the Silverbulletday, Rachel Alexandra (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) this year.
Abel Tasman (5-1) was a distant second to Paradise Woods in the Santa Anita Oaks. The Bob Baffert trainee returns with blinkers added with Mike Smith getting the return ride.
Weather could be a factor as there is rain in the forecast for both Friday and Saturday.
I will have my full card report for Oaks Day available on Thursday.
Field for the Kentucky Oaks
- Ever So Clever 20-1
- Lockdown 20-1
- Mopotism 20-1
- Paradise Woods 5-2
- Jordan’s Henny 30-1
- Vexatious 20-1
- Farrell 5-1
- Sailor’s Valentine 30-1
- Wicked Lick 30-1
- Miss Sky Warrior 9-2
- Tequilita 20-1
- Daddys Lil Darling 20-1
- Abel Tasman 5-1
- Salty 6-1
- Summer Luck 30-1
Get Michael’s Dempsey’s full card reports for the three jewels of this year’s Triple Crown! Included in this package is Michael’s full card reports for Kentucky Oaks Day, Kentucky Derby Day, Preakness Stakes Day and Belmont Stakes Day. Michael’s Reports includes his selections, analysis, fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for every race.
