No main track bias present on Kentucky Oaks card

For horseplayers wondering about any main track bias present at Churchill Downs, the track was fair to all running styles throughout the Kentucky Oaks card Friday. Although it had a slight bias toward runners near the front, dirt courses generally give speed horses a natural advantage.

Here is a short recap of each dirt race through the Kentucky Oaks.

Race 1 – Imogene Malvina made use of stalking tactics from third to win the Oaks card opener at 8-1. The uncontested pacesetter Park On the Nile gave up the lead to Imogene Malvina but still ran credibly enough to hold second.

Race 2 – Here is another stalking win. This time, Olga Isabel took over the lead from third and briefly opened up in the stretch, while the favorite Inventing slowly cut into the gap after making a bid from sixth.

Race 4 – Juju’s Map set the pace from start to win by an impressive 4 3/4 lengths in her first start since finishing second to Echo Zulu in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Powder River gave chase throughout the race in second.

Race 6 (La Troienne, G1) – Shedaresthedevil set the pace with a slight cushion through reasonable fractions before losing to the improved Pauline’s Pearl in the stretch run. The loss means nothing in terms of track bias, as Shedaresthedevil also gave up the lead in the Azeri Stakes (G2), and Pauline’s Pearl had hinted at improved form through her first two 2022 races.    

Race 7 (Alysheba, G2) – The favorite Olympiad became an early chaser in second as Weyburn went for the lead from the inside. Weyburn faded in the stretch though, and the stalker Happy Saver and Olympiad went to battle. Olympiad began to pull clear for an excellent 2 1/2-length win.

Race 9 (Eight Belles, G2) – Matareya began the race in sixth through the opening quarter, but she went forward with an early move into third. Then, Matareya had to wait on the inside for room on the turn, before tipping out and moving past the pacesetter Pretty Birdie for a 2 1/4-length win.  

Race 11 (Kentucky Oaks, G1) – Again, the circumstances dictated the results more than any bias. Yuugiri set a fast pace with the champion 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu pressuring her in second. Secret Oath and Nest initially began the race in eighth and seventh, which made them closers. Even though Secret Oath broke from the rail, she took up an outside position on the backside, while Nest went inside. Yuugiri began to fade on the far turn, and to a lesser extent Echo Zulu started to get tired too. Secret Oath took over the lead at the top of the stretch, while Nest tipped out and took aim at Secret Oath. Secret Oath kept finding more for a popular two-length win.

Conclusion:

Unless the main track severely changes on Derby Day because of weather or track management, there is no clear bias at Churchill Downs. Right now, the Derby weather forecast calls for a cloudy day with a minimal chance of showers.