Kentucky Oaks 148 Results and Payouts

Secret Oath Gives Lukas Fifth Kentucky Oaks Triumph

(Edited Press Release)

Briland Farm’s homebred Secret Oath made a five-wide sweeping move on the far turn and then collared Echo Zulu at the three-sixteenths pole en route to a two-length victory over favored Nest in the 148th running of the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies on May 6 at Churchill Downs before a crowd of 100,188.

Trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Luis Saez, Secret Oath completed the mile and an eighth on a track listed as good in 1:49.44.

The victory is the fifth in the race for Lukas and ties him with Woody Stephens for the most Oaks triumphs. Lukas’ other winners were Blush With Pride (1982), Lucky Lucky Lucky (1984), Open Mind (1989) and Seaside Attraction (1990).

It is the first Oaks victory for Saez.

Longshot Yuugiri and the undefeated Echo Zulu rocketed to the front from the gate and led the field of 14 through early fractions of :22.45 and :46.51.

In the run down the backstretch, Saez has Secret Oath outside of horses and in eighth. Approaching the far turn, Secret Oath began to pick off horses and by the time the field reached the top of the stretch, Secret Oath had moved to the outside of Echo Zulu and reached even terms.

Secret Oath assumed command at the three-sixteenths pole and opened a clear advantage that was more than enough to hold off Nest who rallied for second over Desert Dawn.

“I thought the race unfolded like we expected,” the 86-year-old Lukas said. “Being in the one hole we didn’t have much choice on what to do. I told Luis (Saez) that down the backside to get into position. When I saw him moving around the turn and I turned and hugged my wife and said ‘here we go.’ It feels great. I’ve said all week, as trainers we think it’s us. After you win one, the real satisfaction is for the (owners) who raised her and let them have the opportunity to enjoy this and get the thrill.”

Secret Oath, bred in Kentucky by Stacy and Rob Mitchell, is a daughter of Arrogate. The winner’s share was $705,250 and boosted Secret Oath’s bankroll to $1,288,417 with a record of 8-5-0-2.

“I’m really happy for Wayne,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Nest and former Lukas protégé. “If I couldn’t win this race, I was rooting for him. Irad (Ortiz Jr.) told me that he couldn’t get out the whole race. He had to wait and wait. When he finally got loose she ran big. (Shahama) Flavien (Prat) said she didn’t break well and he couldn’t get over inside during the race. He said he got bumped on the turn and she closed a bit. I think the post really hurt her. (Goddess of Fire) Johnny (Velazquez) said she didn’t care for the track at all.”

Secret Oath returned $10.80, $5.60 and $4.60. Nest, ridden byIrad Ortiz Jr., returned $4.20 and $3.20 and finished a half-length in front of Desert Dawn who paid $15.40 to show underUmberto Rispoli.

It was another half-length back to Echo Zulu who was followed in order byKathleen O.,Shahama, Turnerloose, Cocktail Moments,Candy Raid, Nostalgic, Goddess of Fire, Hidden Connection, Yuugiri and Venti Valentine.

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