The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is almost here, but the action from Louisville begins well before Saturday, highlighted by the Kentucky Oaks, this Friday, May 5th (coverage beings at 1pm ET on USA and Peacock). The Kentucky Oaks is the premier race for three-year-old female horses, known as fillies, and is a $1.25 million, Grade 1 stakes race that is a signature element of Derby weekend.
The morning line favorite, Wet Paint, is trained by Brad Cox and is undefeated in three races as a three-year-old. Cox has two additional starters in the race: Botanical, the second choice on the morning line, and The Alys Look (15-1). While Forte, trained by Todd Pletcher with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., will likely be the favorite in Saturday’s Derby, there’s also a Pletcher-Ortiz contender in the Oaks, thanks to Gambling Girl (15-1). A win Friday would give Pletcher his fifth Oaks victory, which would equal the most-ever Oaks wins by a trainer.
Keep reading for all you need to know about the 2023 edition of the historic race, including schedule, tune-in time, the horses in the field and more.
When is the 2023 Kentucky Oaks?
The 149th running of the Kentucky Oaks will take place the day before the Kentucky Derby - the Oaks is scheduled for Friday, May 5th while the Derby takes place Saturday, May 6th. Coverage of the Oaks will begin at 1pm ET.
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How to Watch the 2023 Kentucky Oaks
- Date: Friday, May 5th
- Time: Coverage begins at 1pm ET on USA and Peacock
- TV Network: USA
- Streaming: Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App
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Horses in the 2023 Kentucky Oaks
- Mimi Kakushi (20-1)
- The Alys Look (15-1)
- Gambling Girl (15-1)
- Southlawn (8-1)
- Wonder Wheel (12-1)
- Botanical (4-1)
- Wet Paint (5-2)
- Promiseher America (30-1)
- And Tell Me Nolies (15-1)
- Flying Connection (15-1)
- Defining Purpose (12-1)
- Dorth Vader (12-1)
- Affirmative Lady (10-1)
- Pretty Mischievous (10-1)
- Taxed (20-1)
- Julia Shining (15-1)
- Hoosier Philly (30-1)
