Tagged: Kentucky Oaks

The Kentucky Oaks runs today and the Kentucky Derby runs tomorrow (obviously), and WFPL is taking Byline to Churchill Downs to talk horses.

A full field of 20 horses is expected for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

The Derby post positions will be drawn later today.

An unexpected addition to the field was announced yesterday when the owners of Giant Finish announced that he would run.

Giant Finish has enough points in the new Derby qualifying system to take the 20th spot in the field, bumping Fear the Kitten from the list of 20 starters.   Fear the Kitten could get into the race if there's  a scratch.  

A field of 11 is set for Friday’s running of the 139th Kentucky Oaks.

The post positions for the fillies-only race were drawn this  morning at Churchill Downs.

The early favorite, at 3 -1, is Dreaming of Julia, one of four Todd Pletcher-trained entries.    Jockey John Velazquez will be aboard.

Dreaming of Julia is coming off an impressive victory last month in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, which she won by nearly 22 lengths. 

She'll  break from post position eight in the Kentucky Oaks.

It's becoming a common refrain.

As with Thunder Over Louisville, Louisville Metro Police are urging attendees to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks to report suspicious activity, in a bid to heighten security after last week's bombing at the Boston Marathon.

Jockey Robby Albarado has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. The veteran rider is charged in an alleged case of domestic violence.

Albarado’s attorney, Scott Barton, entered the plea today in Jefferson District Court to the misdemeanor charge. A July trial date was set. The jockey was arrested Friday and charged with fourth-degree assault for allegedly accosting a woman who said she was trying to break up with him.

Believe You Can has won the 2012 Kentucky Oaks.    

With jockey Rosie Napravnik aboard, the filly finished just ahead of Broadway’s Alibi. Napravnik is the first female to ride a Kentucky Oaks winner.

Grace Hall, the early favorite, was third.

The rain-delayed race was run before 112,552 fans Churchill Downs, the second-largest Oaks crowd. 

On Oaks Friday, WFPL's State of the News headed to Churchill Downs to spend an hour talking about the big races ahead this weekend, and handicapping the races with professional insights from Mike Watchmaker from the Daily Racing Form and Ed DeRosa of brisnet.com.