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What time does the Kentucky Oaks start?

By Zoe West

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 06: Javier Castellano acknowledges the crowd after winning the Kentucky Oaks aboard Cathryn Sophia
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 06: Javier Castellano acknowledges the crowd after winning the Kentucky Oaks aboard Cathryn Sophia /
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The precursor for Derby Day, the Kentucky Oaks will be run on Friday, May 4.

The Kentucky Oaks is the man attraction the day before the Kentucky Derby. Even though the race itself lacks the national profile of the Derby it is one of the most well-attended days of the year for Churchill Downs. However, like the Derby, the Oaks is only one of a number of races being run at the track that day. The other races, called the ‘undercard’ also get the benefit of being broadcast nationally because of their proximity to a race such as the Oaks.

The entire undercard will be broadcast on NBCSN. Those races, or rather the coverage of those races, will air for 12 to 3 p.m. ET on Friday. For people attending the event, gates open early. spectators can begin to enter the racetrack and find their seats that morning, and the morning of Derby day, at 8 a.m. This is a few hours earlier that the normal time of 11 a.m. because of the sheer number of people attending.

As the main event there is more in-depth coverage for the Oaks. That will also be on NBCSN, and will begin at 5 p.m. Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is 6:12 p.m.

The field for the Oaks, as well as the post positions have been drawn. There are 14 entries, although last-minute injuries (or other compromising circumstances) may still shrink that field by one or two. Fourteen seems like a large enough field, until you consider that the Derby the next day will, barring unforeseen disaster, have 20 horses running.

The field for the Oaks (ordered by post position) is:

  1. Sassy Sienna
  2. Coach Rocks
  3. Classy Act
  4. Chocolate Martini
  5. Wonder Gadot
  6. Kelly’s Humor
  7. Rayya
  8. Heavenhasmynikki
  9. Take Charge Paula
  10. Midnight Bisou
  11. My Miss Lilly
  12. Patrona Margarita
  13. Eskimo Kisses
  14. Monomoy Girl

Currently the favorite is Monomoy Girl at odds of 2-1, and the co-longshots are Patrona Margarita and Heavenhasmymikki both at 30-1.

Next: 20 short stories about the 2018 Kentucky Derby horses

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