Kentucky Oaks

Beyond the Blinkers posts tagged "Kentucky Oaks"

Kentucky Oaks/Derby iPhoto Essay 2014

This year's Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks have come and gone, but the memories will always remain. Following is a pictorial essay of some of my favorite scenes throughout the week leading up to both races. I hope you enjoy! Did you attend this year's Kentucky Derby? If so, what were some of your favorite moments? Stay tuned next week for an exciting giveaway on the blog! Early morning on the Churchill... Read More

Paolucci is Courageously Confident in Ria Antonia

One day prior to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Ron Paolucci, co-owner of Ria Antonia, sat handicapping the May 1 Churchill Downs card with his wife and a dozen of his closest friends in the track's Win-Place-Show room. Paolucci, who races Ria Antonia in the name Loooch Racing with Christopher Dunn, had already seen his filly gallop over the Louisville oval and had a hearty breakfast at the iconic Wagner... Read More

Untapable Schools in the Paddock

Yesterday, on April 29, I had the opportunity to watch Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) morning line favorite Untapable have a schooling session in the Churchill Downs paddock. The daughter of Tapit acted cool, calm, and professional as she stood in the schooling stall, and was then led around the paddock walking ring under the watch of trainer Steve Asmussen. Untapable walks around the Churchill Downs... Read More

Afternoon With the Regal Rosalind

Last Tuesday afternoon (April 15), I had the privilege of going to Keeneland and visiting Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful Rosalind at trainer Kenny McPeek's barn. The reason for the visit was to do a video interview with McPeek that will be posted in the next few days on Bloodhorse.com, but while I was there, I was also able to spend a few moments with Rosalind. She was accommodating while I petted her... Read More

Kentucky Oaks Name Game: 2014 Edition

It's time for my annual Kentucky Oaks name blog! I cover the Kentucky Oaks for the magazine, so for the last five years, I have researched the meanings behind the names of several of Oaks-bound fillies. Read some of my past entries here , here , and here . Whenever I make a "hunch bet," it's usually about 80-90% based on the horse's name. How much do name meanings weigh on your handicapping? These... Read More

KY Oaks Name Game: 2013 Edition

The Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) name game is something fun that I've done on this blog for the last few years leading up to the Run for the Lilies. I research as many Oaks contenders as I can to find out their name meanings, and I usually get some pretty interesting stories! Following are some of the explanations I received on this year's stellar field of contenders. Which one is your favorite? Beholder... Read More

Speedy Broadway's Alibi Ready for Lilies

Anna Ford, racing manager for E. Paul Robsham Stables, had some last minute shopping to do May 3. “We just decided on Sunday (April 29) that we’re going to the (Kentucky) Oaks (gr. I) and I still need to find a dress,” said Ford while standing outside trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn 34 at Churchill Downs, where Broadway’s Alibi was being walked around the shedrow. The daughter of Vindication, who is the... Read More

Summer Applause Laying Low for KY Oaks

Tucked away in Bret Calhoun's barn 22, a considerable distance from the Kentucky Derby backside bustle, is Kentucky Oaks-bound filly Summer Applause, who was casually eating a hearty hay breakfast the morning of May 2.... Read More

My Oaks/Derby Week in Photos

This year’s Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby week was definitely memorable to me—from the heartbreaking phone call I made to John Greathouse about his ill-fated filly Devil May Care, to the quiet beauty of the descending twilight on Oaks night, to the thrilling Derby finish of Animal Kingdom and the realization I had scored the biggest triumph of my betting career (which isn’t saying much, but I was... Read More

Last Minute Oaks Picks

People have been asking me for days who my picks are for the Kentucky Oaks. It’s hard this year, because there are so many great stories behind these fillies and their connections, and for sentimental reasons alone, I would be happy if almost any of them won. That’s definitely not always the case with a race like this. Aside from the sentimental stuff, this is a powerful and talented group of horses... Read More

Backstretch Snapshot of the Day: Her Smile

Her Smile is a filly that came into the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) game a little late and lacks the buzz factor that has surrounded some of the other contenders in the Run for the Lilies. But after talking with her owner, celebrity chef Bobby Flay, on Churchill's busy backstretch May 5, it appears she has just as good of a shot as any of the 12 other horses in this deep and talented Oaks field. Flay, who... Read More

Dancinginherdreams Still Dreaming of the Oaks

As I previously warned you, from here through early May, it’s going to be all Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), all the time on my blog. Throughout the next few weeks, I hope to provide you with some insight into the Oaks contenders and their connections, as well as some behind-the-scenes views of the spectacle leading up to the first Friday in May. One of the many fillies currently reaching for the lilies is... Read More

Top 10 Memories of 2010 Kentucky Derby/Oaks

Looking back over last week, I wish I would have written down more of these moments as they occurred so I could have more detail of the great memories that came out of this year's Kentucky Oaks and Derby. I will list some of my favorites below (with one thrown in from our editorial intern and guest blogger Kelsey Riley whose last day is today!). I will also include some red carpet footage shot by Alex... Read More

Blind Luck and Evening Jewel: Doing Fine After Oaks

Now that the Kentucky Oaks is in the history books and the mighty filly Blind Luck has emerged the winner by a nose over the hard trying Evening Jewel, everybody is probably wondering what’s next for the daughter of Pollard’s Vision. But before I update you on that, I have to say that this race was one of the most heart pounding stretch runs I’ve seen in awhile—especially since you all know how much... Read More

Devil May Care: Oaks or Derby?

As I’m sure you already read on our Web site a few days ago , there is a chance that Devil May Care could run in the Derby instead of the Oaks, depending on how her workout at Churchill goes April 24. What do you guys think about that? She has the earnings, but is this filly, who has never raced against males, ready to face a huge field full in the most prestigious race in America? I’m not so sure... Read More

What's in a Name?

It's time to start evaluating the possible Kentucky Oaks starters, examing their name meanings, as well as where they rank on the graded earnings list.... Read More

Recent Posts

More Blogs

Archives