Kentucky Oaks 148 Post Positions and Odds

Nest Installed as Morning-Line Favorite for Kentucky Oaks

The Todd Pletcher-trained Nest, winner of the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, was made the tepid 5-2 favorite on the morning line after drawing post position No. 4 for the 148th edition of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 6.

Nest comes into the Oaks with three straight victories to her credit including a victory in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct last December. The daughter of Curlin made her seasonal bow in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 12, annexing that test by a handy six lengths, then showed improved strength and focus in the Ashland Stakes when she began making her surge four-wide under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. along the far turn, sweeping past pacesetter Interstatedaydream before drawing clear to 8 1/4 length triumph in the 1 1/16-miles test.

Bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables, Nest boasts and overall record of four wins from five starts with $623,050 in earnings. Her lone defeat came when she finished third in the Tempted Stakes at Belmont Park last Nov. 5.

"I mean, she's been terrific," Pletcher said of Nest. "It looks like a very deep field.”

Unbeaten Kathleen O., winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), is the second choice at 7-2 out of post No. 10 with champion Echo Zulu the third choice at 4-1 out of post No. 7.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and L and N Racing LLC, Echo Zulu has won all five of her career starts including an Eclipse Award-clinching triumph in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar last November. The daughter of Gun Runner won the 1 1/16-miles Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in her seasonal bow on March 26, holding off Hidden Connection by a nose.

"I felt (Echo Zulu) won the Fair Grounds Oaks on natural ability and class and she has trained for the Oaks," trainer Steve Asmussen said of reigning champion 2-year-old filly. "I want her as razor sharp and fleet as she can be for Friday."

Kathleen O. has hit every mark put before her since breaking her maiden at first asking at Aqueduct last Nov. 12. The daughter of Upstart has won her three starts this season by a combined 13 ¼ lengths, including victories in the Davona Dale (G2) and Gulfstream Park Oaks, but it is the way Kathleen O. unleashes her closing kick that has trainer Shug McGaughey quietly optimistic he could saddle his first Oaks winner since Dispute earned the lilies in 1993.

“She gets better and better. I’ve been amazed at her progression," McGaughey said of Kathleen O. "She does what you want her to do but she does what she does easily. The Oaks is a race I’ve been lucky enough to win, but that was a long time ago and I’ve always wanted to have the opportunity again."

Briland Farm’s Secret Oath, runaway winner of the Martha Washington and Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn before finishing third against the boys in the Arkansas Derby (G1), is the fourth choice on the morning line at 6-1.

D. Wayne Lukas, the most recent trainer to win the race in consecutive years with Open Mind and Seaside Attraction in 1989-90, is seeking his fifth Oaks victory. Luis Saez will ride Secret Oath for the first time and break from post No. 1.

Pletcher, who got his fourth Oaks victory last year with Malathaat, also will send out Red Oak Stable’s Goddess of Fire and KHK Racing’s Shahama.

Goddess of Fire (15-1), runner-up in the Gulfstream Park Oaks and Rachel Alexandra (G2) in her two most recent starts, will break from post five under John Velazquez. A two-time Oaks winner, Velazquez is seeking to become the first rider since Eddie Arcaro in 1951-53 to win the Oaks in consecutive years.

Shahama (15-1), undefeated in four starts and winner of the UAE Oaks (GIII) in her most recent outing, will be ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat and break from post 13.

Also looking to expand on his Oaks victory total is trainer Brad Cox.

Cox will saddle Dawn and Ike Thrash’s Turnerloose (20-1) who will be ridden by Manny Franco and break from post 14. Cox won the Oaks in 2018 with Monomoy Girl and 2020 with Shedaresthedevil.

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