I’m excited to bring you the latest updates on the 2023 Kentucky Oaks, which is set to take place tomorrow, May 5th, at Churchill Downs. This race is the premier event for three-year-old fillies, and this year’s edition promises to be an exciting one. With that said, let’s dive into the top contenders for this year’s race.
According to various experts and oddsmakers, there are a few fillies that stand out as the top contenders to win the 2023 Kentucky Oaks. One filly that has been receiving a lot of attention is Wet Paint, who is the clear favorite at 5-2. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavian Prat, Wet Paint has been in excellent form leading up to this race, with three wins and a second-place finish in her last four starts. She also drew a favorable post position, starting from the seventh gate, which should give her a good chance to break well and secure a good position early on in the race.
Another filly that is highly regarded by experts and oddsmakers is Botanical, who is right next door to Wet Paint in the starting gates at post position six and is currently listed at 4-1. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Chris Landeros, Botanical has won her last two starts in impressive fashion and has shown a lot of versatility in terms of running style, which could be an asset in a race like the Kentucky Oaks.
Southlawn is another filly that has been garnering attention from experts. Trained by Norm Casse and ridden by Reylu Gutierrez, Southlawn has won her last two races and has been improving with each start. She also drew a decent post position, starting from the fourth gate, which could give her a good chance to save ground early on and make a strong late run.
Affirmative Lady and Pretty Mischievous are two other fillies that are highly regarded by oddsmakers, with both listed at 10-1. Affirmative Lady, trained by H. Graham Motion and ridden by John Velazquez, has been consistent throughout her career and has finished in the money in five of her six starts, including two wins. Pretty Mischievous, trained by Brandon Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, has been improving with each start and is coming off an impressive second in the Fair Grounds Oaks.
There are several other fillies that could make some noise in this year’s Kentucky Oaks, including Wonder Wheel, Defining Purpose, and Dorth Vader. However, with the talent and form displayed by Wet Paint, Pretty Mischievous, and Southlawn, it’s hard to see any other filly breaking through and winning this year’s edition of the Kentucky Oaks.
That’s all for now, folks. Be sure to tune in tomorrow at 5:51 pm ET to catch all the action from Churchill Downs.