The day before the Kentucky Derby is reserved for the Kentucky Oaks, the most prominent horse racing event for fillies. The 2014 Oaks took place on Friday May 2, and will hosted 12 fillies (after one was scratched at the gate) on the 1 1/8 mile-track at Churchill Downs.
Untappable, who entered the race as the even money favorite, emerged from the middle of the pack for a convincing victory, finishing the race in
Here’s what you need to know:
1. All Horses Are 3-Year-Old Fillies
The Oaks is a Grade I stakes race, giving it one of the biggest purses in thoroughbred racing. The fillies run with 121 pounds (the weight of their jockeys) on their backs.
Watch a preview of this year’s Oaks above.
2. The 2014 Running Was the 140th Running of the Oaks
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The Oaks was founded alongside the Kentucky Derby and first run in 1875. Since then, there have been a few changes to the race, including the distance, which went from 1 1/2 miles to ultimately 1 1/8.
3. Untapable Entered as the Favorite
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Untapable is prohibitive favorite, with odds of 4/5. Her odds moved down to 6/5 before moving back to even money at the start of the race.
4. The Prize is $600,000
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The full purse for the Kentucky Oaks is $1,000,000 with $600,000 going to the first place winner. As is traditional, the winning horse will also win a giant garland of lilies, colloquially called the “Lilies for the Fillies.”
5. The Kentucky Derby Takes Place on Saturday
The following day, Saturday, is the anxiously awaited Kentucky Derby, at which Calfornia Chrome is the frontrunner. You can watch a preview of the race and see the favorites in the video above.
