Kentucky Oaks - Race Info, Betting Odds and Winners of the Past

Date: 2025.05.02
Location: Churchill Downs, USA

Everybody has heard of the Kentucky Derby, though the Kentucky Oaks isn't talked about nearly as much.

The Kentucky Oaks is considered one of the premier races for fillies and is often referred to as the sister race to the Kentucky Derby. Winning the Oaks is a major achievement for any filly and is a key highlight of their racing career.

The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby every year, and boasts a very large prize pool of $1.5 million, with over $750,000 going to the winning horse and his/her team. It is one of the richest races for fillies in the United States.





The race is a Grade 1 stakes race that is open to all 3 year-old Thoroughbred Fillies. The race takes place at Churchill Downs (same place as the Kentucky Derby) and has been run since 1875. Churchill Downs is famous for its dirt track, and the Kentucky Oaks is run on this surface, testing the speed and stamina of the competing fillies. The track is 1 1/8 miles in length and is a dirt, left-handed course.

The distance length has been changed multiple times over the years, with the first version of the race clocking in at 1 1/2 miles. Over the years, the course has been shortened considerably and now sits at a length of 1 1/8 miles.

The fastest ever time on the 1 1/8 mile track belongs to Bird Town, who managed the run the race in 1:48.64 in 2003.

The largest winning margin in the race is held by Rachel Alexandra, who won by a whopping 20 1/4 lengths in 2009. The longest shot to win the race was Lemons Forever (2006, 47/1), while the most wins by a jockey is four, and that record is held by both Eddie Arcaro and Manuel Ycaza.


2024 Winner

The winner of the 150th Kentucky Oats, by a dominating run, is:

Horse: Thorpedo Anna
Jockey: B. Hernandez Jr.
Trainer: Kenneth McPeek

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The Kentucky Oaks is a highlight of the American horse racing calendar, celebrated for its rich history, competitive field, and the festive atmosphere that surrounds it. It attracts a large audience both in-person and through media coverage, contributing to the excitement of the Kentucky Derby weekend.


2025 Kentucky Oats:

The event will take place on May 2nd, 2025. The betting odds for the race will be posted closer to the event date.