LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The question heading into the Kentucky Oaks draw was not who would be favored, but how big a favorite Good Cheer would be. And indeed, the undefeated filly, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks in her most recent start, was installed at a prohibitive 6-5 for Friday’s 151st running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Oaks.
Closest to her to start the wagering will be Ashland Stakes winner La Cara, at 6-1 on Mike Battaglia’s morning line.
The maximum field of 14 3-year-old fillies was entered Saturday morning for the Kentucky Oaks, with post positions for the race – as well as the Kentucky Derby – drawn later that evening, between races on the opening-night program of Churchill's spring meet, on the balcony area overlooking the stadium-style paddock that debuted last year. However, the full field may not start. Ashland runner-up Take Charge Milady is being treated for a foot abscess, with her status to be determined over the course of the week.
Good Cheer and Luis Saez landed post position 11 in that big field. The Godolphin homebred is trained by Brad Cox, who has won two prior Oaks.
“We were pretty relaxed about where she was going to be,” said Michael Banahan, Godolphin's director of bloodstock in the U.S. “She’s pretty uncomplicated and professional. She’s shown enough speed to put herself wherever she needs to be.”
La Cara won the Ashland on the front end, and trainer Mark Casse has made no secret of the filly’s intent to go for the lead next Friday. La Cara and Dylan Davis drew post 7, next door to another potential frontrunner, Gulfstream Oaks winner Five G in post 8. Simply Joking, also expected to be forwardly placed, may have her hand forced from post 2.
The Oaks will be the 11th of 13 races on a Friday card that begins at 11 a.m. Eastern. It is preceded by six stakes on the undercard - chief among those the Grade 1, $1 million La Troienne, which is led by reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.
The Kentucky Oaks field, in post position order, with riders and morning-line odds:
1. Early On, Edgard Zayas, 30-1
2. Simply Joking, Florent Geroux, 10-1
3. Fondly, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 30-1
4. Drexel Hill, Ben Curtis, 30-1
5. Quickick, Umberto Rispoli, 30-1
6. Ballerina d'Oro, Flavien Prat, 10-1
7. La Cara, Dylan Davis, 6-1
8. Five G, Manny Franco, 12-1
9. Tenma, Juan Hernandez, 12-1
10. Take Charge Milady, Brian Hernandez, Jr., 12-1
11. Good Cheer, Luis Saez, 6-5
12. Anna's Promise, Junior Alvarado, 30-1
13. Bless the Broken, John Velazquez, 30-1
14. Quietside, Jose Ortiz, 8-1
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