Kentucky Oaks 2015: Post Positions, Field and Race Preview
Much like the Kentucky Derby, which will follow on Saturday, the 2015 Kentucky Oaks on Friday features a highly competitive field. There are at least five horses with a legitimate argument for being considered the favorite.
Stellar Wind was ultimately given top billing following the draw for post positions. Whether she will still hold that status when the race begins is a mystery. But it should be an entertaining showcase of the top three-year-old fillies regardless.
With that in mind, let's check out the 15-horse field, along with all of the important information for race day and a preview of the action.
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2015 Kentucky Oaks Field
| 1 | Forever Unbridled | 15-1 |
| 2 | Shook Up | 30-1 |
| 3 | Include Betty | 20-1 |
| 4 | Eskenformoney | 20-1 |
| 5 | Condo Commando | 4-1 |
| 6 | Angela Renee | 15-1 |
| 7 | Lovely Maria | 5-1 |
| 8 | I’m a Chatterbox | 4-1 |
| 9 | Money’soncharlotte | 50-1 |
| 10 | Oceanwave | 30-1 |
| 11 | Sarah Sis | 30-1 |
| 12 | Stellar Wind | 7-2 |
| 13 | Birdatthewire | 6-1 |
| 14 | Puca | 15-1 |
| 15 | Peace and War | 50-1 |
Race Details
Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
When: Friday, May 1 at 5:49 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC Sports Network
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Preview
Stellar Wind is the morning-line favorite in large part because of her performance in the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks in early April. Caught in a close, multi-horse battle, she accelerated down the stretch in impressive fashion to win by several lengths.
Given the competitiveness of this field, that closing speed is an essential factor. It's highly likely there will be numerous contenders heading into the final few furlongs. Whichever horse is able to showcase that late burst will win the bed of lilies.
Matt Dinerman of Three Colts Handicapping agrees with the oddsmakers' choice of favorite:
She may have the late pace but if Condo Commando's connections have their way, the front-running filly will build an insurmountable lead. Evan Hammonds of The Blood-Horse passed along comments from trainer Rudy Rodriquez.
"She's got speed and the jockey knows how to ride her," Rodriquez said. "You just have to break nice and clean and take it from there. We don't need to change anything. It looks like she'll go the lead, we'll let them come and catch us."
It could very well be the wise move with a deep field. That said, it makes a clean break from the gate absolutely essential if she's going to execute the plan. It's not always an easy task when there are so many horses fighting for the same space.
Another name worth watching is Lovely Maria.
She's finished in the top two of all four career races. Each time out, she's battled fellow Oaks horses, including Sarah Sis, Shook Up, I'm A Chatterbox and Angela Renee, among others. So the level of competition isn't an issue.
More importantly, she's coming off her best performance to date to win the Grade I Ashland Stakes. She exploded with speed over the final furlong to secure the victory. It was a tremendous display of form at an ideal time.
Kari Ward of Lady and The Track likes Lady Maria's chances:
All told, it's really a toss-up race. They could run it five different times, and it wouldn't be a surprise if there were five different winners. The margin between the horses at the top is incredibly small, and that's reflected in the odds.
Based on that run in the Ashland Stakes, let's go with Lovely Maria in a memorable Oaks finish over Stellar Wind that goes right down to the wire. It will set the stage for an equally competitive Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Prediction: Lovely Maria
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