LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – APRIL 30: Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard Search Results #12 (R) congratulates … [+]
The 150th Kentucky Derby draws major headlines and media coverage for a milestone Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 4. But Friday’s Kentucky Oaks headlines a huge day of racing on the biggest weekend of horse racing yet in 2024.
Kicking off the coverage on Thursday morning is “Up and Adams” with Kay Adams on FanDuelTV live from Churchill Downs. FanDuelTV brings daily coverage from Churchill Downs through Derby Day on May 4.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our loyal audience live racing from Churchill Downs, and unprecedented access during Derby Week on FanDuel TV,” said Kevin Grigsby, Executive Producer and SVP of FanDuel TV.
FanDuel new and existing customers placing a $20 No Sweat Bet on the Kentucky Derby will add to the expected record wagering on the 150th Kentucky Derby and major stakes on Derby Day. FanDuel is the first and only sportsbook to offer wagering on horse racing alongside traditional sportsbook wagering with a single account and single wallet, allowing customers to wager on the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks, and all the races from Churchill Downs on Oaks and Derby Days.
“The Kentucky Derby has broken its own handle record the past two consecutive years,” FanDuel GM Andrew Moore said. “Given the excitement around the 150th anniversary and the increased reach via online sportsbooks like FanDuel, we expect another record year in handle.”
Kentucky Oaks Brunch And Betting
The $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks is Race 11 on Friday, May 3 at 5:51 p.m. ET, with 14 3-year-old fillies ready to run in the 1 1/8 mile race.
- Friday, May 3: FanDuelTV (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). USA and Peacock (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Saturday, May 4: FanDuelTV (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). USA and Peackcock (12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.). NBC and Peacock (2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Kentucky Oaks Odds and Post Positions
Kentucky Oaks Picks
I turned to the experts at Guaranteed Tip Sheet and their Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby wagering guide for more insight on the biggest races Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks has 14 runners in the 1 1/8 mile race. Top win contenders are listed, and additional value plays, longshots along with other Friday stakes races plus Saturday’s Kentucky Derby is provided. More race details and analysis is available in the GTS wagering guide.
How Bet Types Work
Race 11 – $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1)
- #14—Leslie’s Rose (4/1) – She’s coming off a strong Grade I win in the Ashland.
- #3 Where’s My Ring (15/1) – The only horse in the race to meet or top the PAR speed figure for this level.
- #13 Just F Y I (9/2) —Might be the best horse in the race. She was undefeated in three before losing to the top pick in the Grade I Ashland last out.
Value Plays and Longshots: #11 Ways and Means (5/1), #5 Thorpedo Anna (5/1), #8 Tarifa (7/2).
Race 5 – $1 million La Troienne Stakes (G1)
- #6 Xigera (3/1) – Unbeaten in a pair at Churchill Downs and could have a clear, late speed advantage over the rest of the field.
- #4—Idiomatic (6/5) – The deserved morning line favorite but has not run since winning the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in early November.
- #5 – Pretty Mischievous (5/2) – Highly consistent performer that has three wins in four starts at Churchill Downs, in- cluding last year’s Kentucky Oaks.
Race 7 – $750,000 Alysheba Stakes (G2)
- 3—First Mission (8/5) – Undefeated in three races at today’s distance and ran one of his best races in his lone Churchill start; second by a nose in the Grade II Clark Stakes.
- #6—Tumbarumba (8/1) – Another horse that has performed well at Churchill Downs, with two wins and a third in three tries.
- #7—Tapit Trice (7/2) – Plenty of back class, but he has been sidelined since running third in the Grade I Travers Stakes in late August.
Kentucky Derby Picks
Race 12 – 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 4
- #17 – Fierceness (5/2)
- #18 – Stronghold (20/1)
- #11 – Forever Young (10/1)
Value Plays and Longshots: #2 Sierra Leone (3/1), #4 Catching Freedom (8/1), #19 Resilience (20/1).
Additional horse racing coverage with profiles and picks provided by FanDuel Racing along with racing insight. Follow along as the 150th Kentucky Derby and Oaks sets watch and wager records.
You can bet on it.