How much is the prize money purse at the 2018 Kentucky Oaks?

The winner of the Kentucky Oaks receives the “Lilies for the Fillies” award — and a sweet cash prize.

On Friday, May 4, Derby weekend kicks off with the Kentucky Oaks, the 1 1/8 mile race around Churchill Downs that lets the ladies stretch their legs before the boys take to the track. The winner of the Kentucky Oaks earns $600,000 of a $1 million purse. (And a silver trophy and that garland of lilies.)

It is a pretty sweet purse, and gets distributed to the top five finishers. Jockeys and trainers are paid a small amount for participating in the race, but earn their paychecks from a share of the prize money. Typically, jockeys and trainers who win the race earn 10 percent and those who come in second through fifth earn 5 percent.

The Kentucky Oaks are considered the most prestigious race for three-year-old fillies — three-year-old female horses. Fillies are allowed to enter the Kentucky Derby — some have and done so and even won — but most years can’t compete with the colts. Colts — the three-year-old boys — are not allowed in Oaks, a race that is exclusive to fillies.

Monomoy Girl is the favorite for the lilies, with 2-1 odds, but Midnight Bisou could give her a run for her money, with 5-2 odds. (Her jockey, affectionately nicknamed “Big Money Mike” has one two of the last five Oaks.)

Official coverage for the Kentucky Oaks begins at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and the race’s post time is listed as 6:12 p.m. ET. If you’re super excited about the Derby weekend and accoutrements, you can tune in at 12 p.m. ET, when NBC begins airing proceedings and undercard races.

Next: 20 short stories about the 2018 Kentucky Derby horses

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