3 value plays for Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs

The Kentucky Oaks may be the main attraction at Churchill Downs on Friday, but there are plenty of other attractive wagering opportunities scattered throughout the fantastic card.

Twelve of the 13 races on Friday feature fields of 10 horses or more, which should ensure good payoffs in both vertical and horizontal wagers.

Call Me Fast, 20-1, race 7, Alysheba Stakes (G2)

This gelding was peaking last year when running a pair of strong seconds in both the Ben Ali (G3) and Blame Stakes (G3). He would be one of the main choices on the morning line in this race off of those races, but he proceeded to put forth two subpar efforts to end the year. It appears to me that the huge middle move and grueling stretch drive that this runner put forth in the Blame Stakes took a lot out of him. Trainer Michael Puhich realized this and decided to freshen him up for his 5-year-old campaign. His even fourth-place performance in the Commonwealth Stakes (G3) last out is a sign of a return to better form. He needed the start and ran a nice race considering it was at a distance short of his best. He now returns to a route, has a bullet workout and picks up Flavien Prat. Look for him to be a serious factor at a big price.

Pounce, 10-1, race 10, Edgewood (G2)

This filly was favored over many of these rivals a few weeks ago in the Appalachian Stakes (G2) and is now sitting at 10-1 after a poor performance. She was undefeated in two turf starts before the Appalachian with a wire-to-wire score and a win from well off the pace, showing her versatility. The 90 Beyer Speed Figure she earned at Gulfstream Park is the highest in this field. Something went amiss in the Appalachian Stakes after she made a nice middle move into contention, and that race is too bad to be true. It is a good sign that trainer Mark Casse comes right back with her, and she is the horse to beat if she returns to her best form.

Sustancia, 10-1, race 13, maiden special weight

Eddie Kenneally's filly has no business being 10-1 in this spot. She ran well in her only start when flashing speed and running fourth. Kenneally's runners tend to do better after a start or two, and she appears to be the controlling speed in this race while stretching out to a route. With a bullet work in tow, expect the aggressive Luis Saez to send her out of the gate and never look back.