What’s the difference between the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks?
By Zoe West
The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby are related, but not the same race.
Back when many schools were separated by gender, all-boys schools would often have “sister schools” that they would partner with to host dances and social events and so on. The relationship between the Kentucky Derby and the race that happens the day before — the Kentucky Oaks — is something like that.
Both are so-called “classic” races for three-year-olds, but the Oaks is effectively the Derby’s sister race. That is, it is a gender restricted race and only fillies are allowed to enter.
Apart from gender and prestige there are a few other differences between the races. “Concessions” if you will, made for the girls. The Oaks is a furlong shorter than the Derby, they run 1 1/8 miles rather than 1 1/4. Additionally, the common weight that the horses have to carry is a bit lower. I believe 3-year-old colts carry 126 pounds in all age specific races, whereas fillies carry only 121. The Oaks also is run for a smaller purse, though not exactly small. The Derby Purse is over $2,000,000 — the winner receives about 1.2 — and the total purse for the Kentucky Oaks is around $1,000,000. A substantial difference, yes, but still a pretty large sum of money. If you win.
The Kentucky Oaks is presented as something of an opener for the Derby. A race with significantly less press and national importance, but one that can draw spectators and interest. Of course, having the Kentucky Oaks does not actually preclude fillies from entering the Derby. Many have done so over the races history, and three have won it: Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988.
Next: 20 short stories about the 2018 Kentucky Derby horses
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