BLIND LUCK POSTED AS KENTUCKY OAKS FAVORITE

With the field for this weekend’s big horse races beginning to take shape, oddsmakers are now in a position to start setting numbers for the public to bet.  Now that Todd Pletcher’s filly Devil May Care has been confirmed for Saturday’s Derby, the early line favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks will be Blind Luck.  Churchill Downs linesmaker Mike Battaglia has set the price on Blind Luck at 6-5 for the 1 1/8 mile Kentucky Oaks which will be run for the 136th time this year.

Although Kentucky Derby betting enthusiasts are still waiting on the odds for Saturday’s big race, there are a number of interesting wagering prospects in the Kentucky Oaks.  Following Blind Luck, the prices suggest a wide open field.  The next three fillies are Crisp, Tidal Pool, and Amen Hallelujah who are all priced at 8-1.  Every other entry is priced at double digit odds with five fillies sharing the status of biggest longshot at 30-1.

John Sadler, the trainer of Crisp, has reason to feel good about his chances.  His horse upset Blind Luck at the Santa Anita Oaks in early March.  Still, he concedes that Blind Luck is deserving of her favored status:

"Blind Luck had a really tough trip when we got lucky enough to beat her at Santa Anita. Our filly is big and strong, and the extra distance isn't going to bother us at all. But Blind Luck is definitely the horse to beat."

Rick Dutrow, trainer of Amen Hallelujah, is obviously glad that Devil May Care won’t be running in the Kentucky Oaks.  His horse was a well beaten second to Devil May Care in the Bonnie Miss Stakes last month at Gulfstream Park:

"It looks like we're very live now. It looks like our filly really likes this track. I'm very happy with the position we're in."

Other potential contenders in the Oaks include Evening Jewel and It's Tea Time, Quiet Temper and the Todd Pletcher trained Ailalea. Also in the lineup are Jody Slew, Age of Humor, Beautician, Bella Diamante, Champagne d'Oro, and Joanie's Catch.

Among the general public, however, the Kentucky Oaks may not get as much attention as one of Friday’s undercard races.  The sixth race on the card is the Grade 2, $400,000 La Troienne Stakes. The La Troienne, run at 1 1/16 miles, will feature a rematch between 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and Zardana who beat her at the New Orleans’ Ladies Stakes in March.