Kentucky Oaks update for May 22
May 22, 2020
Like other marquee racing events, the Kentucky Oaks (G1), America’s premier and most lucrative race for 3-year-old fillies, has an adjusted date because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fillies will run for the garland of lilies Friday, September 4, keeping the tradition of the contest being held the day before the Kentucky Derby (G1). The later date gives rising stars additional opportunities to join the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, gaining points that grant entry into the race.
Currently, Swiss Skydiver tops the leaderboard with a commanding 210 points, earning the majority from back-to-back wins in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn. Trained by Kenny McPeek, she is pointed to make her next start in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2).
Bonny South ranks second in the standings with 100 points. The Brad Cox trainee banked these by winning the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), securing her third consecutive victory in her four career starts.
Finite, in third place with 80 points, comes from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. The chestnut filly looks to rebound from her fourth-place finish in the Fair Ground Oaks, which snapped her streak of five wins that includes the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and Golden Rod (G2).
New prep races, separated by region, have been added to the Road to the Kentucky Oaks:
- East: Delaware Oaks (G3) (Delaware Park, July 4) and Monmouth Oaks (G3) (Monmouth Park, August 1). Additional races are expected at NYRA tracks once the stakes schedules are finalized.
- Midwest: Dogwood (Churchill Downs, June 6), Indiana Oaks (G3) (Indiana Grand, August 2), Ashland (G1) (Keeneland, TBA), and Beaumont (G2) (Keeneland, TBA)
- West: Santa Anita Oaks (Santa Anita, June 6)
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