A look at the complete finishing order from the 2017 Kentucky Oaks on Friday evening at Churchill Downs.
Churchill Downs will host one of the most prestigious events in horse racing on Friday with the running of the 143rd Kentucky Oaks.
While most of the sports world’s attention will focus on The Run for the Roses the following evening, the Kentucky Oaks is the most anticipated undercard event of the weekend by far. The 1 1/8 mile race for three-year-old fillies will feature a $1 million purse, with $600,000 and the Garland Of Lillies going to the winner.
Just like last year’s edition of the Kentucky Oaks, the early favorite will not be running, as Unique Bella withdrew due to a shin injury. That leaves Paradise Woods as the morning-line favorite at 5-2 after she destroyed the field in the Santa Anita Oaks by 11 3/4 lengths.
Paradise Woods will start out of the No. 4 post position and should have no trouble with the Oaks competition if she can repeat that kind of performance. Top challengers include Miss Sky Warrior out of post 10 and Farrell out of post seven, as both horses enter the race on winning streaks.
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This race may not be as prestigious as the Kentucky Derby, but there is no doubt that many people look forward to it each and every year. It’s a great way to get the weekend in Louisville kicked off, and this year’s race should being the excitement once again.
Following a full day of action at Churchill Downs, Friday’s post time is set for 6:12 p.m. Eastern. The full finishing order for the 2017 Kentucky Oaks will be posted below as soon as the race is complete:
So that’s how the 2017 Kentucky Oaks played out on Friday. What were your thoughts on the race the day before the Kentucky Derby?