Monomoy Girl wins contentious Kentucky Oaks 2018 (Video)
After a close race and a dramatic foul review, Monomoy Girl was named winner of the 2018 Kentucky Oaks.
The night before the Kentucky Derby, the fillies run a race all of their own, the Kentucky Oaks. The Oaks is a 1 1/8 mile race and its the biggest race of the year for three-year-old female horses. It’s also a beloved part of Derby weekend and an occasion for everyone to wear pink in both honor of the fillies and to raise awareness for breast cancer. This year, the winner was the favorite — Monomoy Girl — but it was not without controversy.
After Monomoy Girl crossed the finish line after a neck and neck final stretch, John Velazquez, the jockey of second place finisher Wonder Gadot, filed an objection. The stewards reviewed the objection to see if a brush that occurred earlier in the race had altered the outcome. If so, it would have been ruled a foul and Monomoy Girl disqualified.
NBC’s commentators suggested that it was a very thin brush and a foul call would be ridiculous, but the stewards gave it their due diligence. Ultimately, no change was made, the result stayed, and Monomoy Girl was official ruled the winner of the 2018 Kentucky Oaks.
Kentucky Oaks runner-up Wonder Gadot (left) jockey John Velazquez claims foul against Kentucky Oaks winner Monomoy Girl. NBC commentators say the result will stand ... pic.twitter.com/08QBS82bJZ
— The Irish Field (@TheIrishField) May 4, 2018
Monomoy Girl’s team will take home $600,000 of the $1 million purse. Wonder Gadot’s team will take home a portion, as will Midnight Bisou and Eskimo Kisses, who came in third and fourth respectively.
A battle to the finish. Monomoy Girl wins the Longines Kentucky Oaks!pic.twitter.com/Ng6pDkdfji
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 4, 2018
For bettors, the earnings weren’t quite as ridiculous as last year, but those who hit the superfecta took home $1,387 on a $1 bet and $181.20 on a $1 trifecta win.
Next: All the 2018 Derby horses, ranked by names
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