Expert prediction
Kentucky Oaks Odds, Preview, and Picks (May 2)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
A huge weekend of horse racing action is set for Churchill Downs this weekend, as the first leg of the Triple Crown is set for Saturday. However, before then, the attention will be on the fillies, as the Kentucky Oaks will be staged on Friday. Find the odds and our picks for the big race here.
How To Watch
- When: Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5:51 PM ET
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- How To Watch: NBC
Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Good Cheer | +150 |
| La Cara | +800 |
| Quietside | +800 |
| Simply Joking | +1000 |
| Ballerina d’Oro | +1200 |
| Five G | +1200 |
| Take Charge Milady | +1400 |
| Tenma | +1600 |
| Early On | +2500 |
| Other Selections | +2500 & Bigger |
Event Preview
The first big race of a stacked weekend at Churchill Downs this weekend will come in the form of the Kentucky Oaks. The Grade One is to be run by fillies aged three, with a distance of 1 1/8 miles set to be covered in Louisville.
Good Cheer is expected to be a well-backed favorite for the race. Brad Cox trains the filly, and Luis Saez is booked to take the ride. The three-year-old has won six-from-six on track, and was visually impressive when running clear of the field to beat Avavah by three lengths in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks. Already has three wins at Churchill Downs to her name. Hard to beat.
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Ballerina d’Oro could be a runner that is flying under the radar for respected trainer Chad Brown. The three-year-old battled expertly to beat Early On by a nose in the G3 Gazelle Stakes last time out.
Five G is another that could be of interest at a bigger price. She only has a length to make up on Quietside based on her effort in the G3 Honeybee Stakes, and she quickly got back on track following that effort with a strong win over Anna’s Promise in the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. One of note for trainer George Weaver.
Kentucky Oaks Picks
While Good Cheer deserves huge respect ahead of the Kentucky Oaks, we like the chances of La Cara to spring an upset. Connections played down the fillies’ chances in the G1 Ashland Stakes last time out, but she surpassed expectations to hold off Take Charge Milady by a length.
She already has a win at Churchill Downs to her name, and the extra distance could bring out further improvement from this daughter of Street Sense.
Free Pick:
- La Cara
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