Back to normal at Churchill Downs after two years of containment the COVID-19 pandemic helped boost bet records for the Kentucky Oaks May 6.
Wages from all sources on the full Oaks day race card hit an Oaks day record of $74.6 million, up 37% from 2021 and up 24% from the previous record set in 2019 was $60.2 million.
All sources bet on this year’s $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) race won Secret Vow was $24.3 million, a 40% increase from last year’s Oaks race and a 25% increase from the previous record of $19.4 million in 2019.
“Today we celebrate the Oath of Secrecy and her relationships,” Churchill Downs’ president Mike Anderson said in a statement. “The 148th Kentucky Oaks will be remembered as a triumphant comeback against a capable crowd. We thank the fans, sponsors, riders, equestrians and all All participants contributed to today’s record-breaking success.”
The number of 100,188 people is more than double the number of 41,472 people intentionally announced a year ago. Despite the forecast for rain, today is mostly pleasant with only intermittent showers — until shortly after Oaks season when the race was then delayed because of a passing storm.
The previous “normal” Oaks festivals in 2019 had 105,719 attendees. No fans were allowed to attend the Oaks 2020; only horsemen and media. Some of the new amenities at Churchill have reduced permanent seating.
When betting early on the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on Friday, the winner of the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) Epicenter 5-1 mild favorite against Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Taiba also 5-1, around 7:30pm
Messier and Mo Donegal both are 7-1 and morning favorites Zandon is 8-1. All others are 10-1 or so. Rich Strikewho made it to the off-list also qualified, in 129-1 place, according to a Churchill Downs statement.
TwinSpires.com shows $876,367 in the winning pool, $291,166 in the placement pool, and $268,791 in the show pool, for a roughly $1.44 million total. That’s a small percentage of the final amount that will be in each of those pools.
The $1 Oaks/Derby double that will pay the Oaks winner The Secret Oath (number 1) is:
1. Mo Donegal, $51.80
2. Jack is happy $622.50
3. Epicenter, $25.10
4. Summer is tomorrow $511.70
5. Happy smile $97.60
6. Messier, $40.90
7. Crown Pride $96.20
8. Charge it $67.50
9. Tiz the Bomb $238.10
10. Zandon, $36.40
11. Medina’s Pioneers $534.80
12. Taiba, $32.40
13. Simplify $201.30
14. Haircut line $329.60
15. White Abarrio $79.70
16. Cyberknife $91.20
17. Classic Road $ 550.00
18. Port of Tawny $651.40
19. Zozos $309.00
20 The path of purity scratched
21. Rich Strike $973.20
22. Rattle N Roll scratched
