Kentucky Oaks Long Shot Special
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Zipse’s Kentucky Derby Daily – Day 1
24 hours from racing’s biggest day, I find myself needing to take a breath and put my Derby thoughts on hold for just a little … for today is fillies’ day, and they run for the lilies.
The female version of the Kentucky Derby is of huge importance in its own right, and personally, it is one of my favorite races of the year. Like the Derby, the Kentucky Oaks attracts the top horses of the crop. One of the reasons I love the Oaks is the great betting opportunities it generally presents. A full field of classy sophomore fillies line up, and unlike the male counterpart, the Oaks features a manageable field size. The 2011 edition has 13 entered, and I am pleased to report my top selection for the race is listed at a juicy 30-1 on the morning line.
Breaking from the 13 hole, St. John’s River is in with a big chance. The daughter of the distance loving Include, has only run four times in her career, but she shows all the signs of becoming a very good horse. After a 3rd place finish in her six furlong debut, the Andrew Leggio trained miss has excelled around two-turns. An easy four length score in her second race was followed by a narrow loss in a non-winners of one affair. That neck defeat was probably a little stronger than it appears on paper, and in fact, the 3rd place finisher that day is part of the Oaks field. In her fourth start, St. John’s River stepped it up a notch with a flying finish in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks to be 2nd by a half a length. If it had been just a little farther, St. John’s River likely would have rolled on by winner Daisy Devine. The Kentucky Oaks is provides that added distance.
At nine furlongs, the Oaks is farther than most of these have ever run. The expected pace scenario also lends itself to a strong finisher. Talented fillies like Plum Pretty, Summer Soiree, Daisy Devine, and Lilacs and Lace should set solid early fractions, and in the process soften each other up for the stretch run.
I will play St. John’s River in the Oaks-Derby Double, the Oaks-Woodford Reserve-Derby Pick 3, as well as exactas and trifectas with Kathmanblu, Joyful Victory, and Zazu. If she wins, the payoffs could be huge, but don’t forget at these odds, be sure to have a few dollars on her to win.
Read More
C2 Racing Stable and Gary Barber issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the post-parade scratch of White Abarrio...
This week's Prospect Watch showcases young horses with elite bloodlines making their debuts and early career starts across...
While most attention was on the Breeders' Cup last week, several horses got their first wins in impressive...
The Triple Crown Tracker checks in with the horses who raced in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and...
Owen Almighty , the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby winner who most recently placed third in the Perryville...