First Look: Star-studded Kentucky Oaks undercard

The opening act is not supposed to outshine the headline event, but Kentucky Oaks Day might come pretty close or even surpass the excitement of Kentucky Derby Saturday this year.

The Oaks, led by the superstar clash between Gamine, Swiss Skydiver and Speech, might be the most anticipated race of the whole weekend, and the remainder of Friday's stakes action at Churchill is star-studded as well.

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Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Sharing returns in the $300,000 Edgewood (G2) after a valiant second in Royal Ascot. Fellow Breeders' Cup victor Monomoy Girl is slated to start in the La Troienne (G1). The amazingly consistent 2018 Breeders' Cup and Kentucky Oaks winner will face recent G1 winner Vexatious once more after defeating her in the Ruffian (G2).

By My Standards and Owendale lead the probable field for a key Breeders' Cup Classic prep, the Alysheba (G2), while the TwinSpires Turf Sprint (G2) is a wide-open affair.

Below is an early capsule look at the expected entrants and overview of the Friday undercard stakes. This will be updated with more probables as they become apparent. Click here to view the latest update on the Kentucky Oaks field.

Grade 1, $500,000 La Troienne, 1 1/16 miles on the dirt, fillies and mares 4-year-old and up

Overview: All eyes will be on arguably America's favorite mare, Monomoy Girl, in this $500,000 Grade 1. She is the horse to beat anytime she steps onto the track, but Vexatious proved she was no slouch when turning away Midnight Bisou in the Personal Ensign. Defending champion She's a Julie is not as consistent as the top two choices, but her best is good enough to compete with the best in her division.

2020 La Troienne (G1)

Grade 2, $400,000 Alysheba, 1 1/16 miles on the dirt, 3-year-olds and up

Overview: Behind Maximum Security and Tiz the Law, the Breeders' Cup Classic looks wide open. By My Standards, Owendale and Silver Dust will try to prove they belong in the next tier with the likes of Improbable and Tom's d'Etat in this key Breeders' Cup Classic prep. Whitney Stakes runner-up By My Standards has put together the best resume this year of the early probables and likely will be favored in this spot.

2020 Alysheba (G2)

Grade 2, $300,000 Eight Belles, 7 furlongs on the dirt, 3-year-old fillies

Overview: Four Graces has won four of her first five races, including consecutive Grade 3 wins, and is looking to stamp herself as the star of this division. Sconsin, who ran second to Four Graces in the Beaumount (G3) will look to turn the tables on her rival, while the rapidly improving Mundaye Call brings tremendous upside into this race.

2020 Eight Belles (G2)

Grade 2, $300,000 Edgewood, 1 1/16 miles on the turf, 3-year-old fillies

Overview: Sharing is widely considered the top 3-year-old turf female in America and one of the best in the world on the strength of her Breeders' Cup score and her strong second at Ascot. She will be tough in this spot, but California shipper Beguiled, who has run into some tough trips, and the speedy Outburst should make this an intriguing race.

2020 Edgewood (G2)

Grade 2, $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint, 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf, 3-year-olds and up

Overview: The Turf Sprint appears to be the most wide open and best betting race of the stakes action on Friday. Archidust and Carotari enter off of wins at Lone Star, while Diamond Oops and Extravagant Kid bring class to the field.

2020 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2)