Kentucky Oaks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kentucky Oaks

Grade 1 race
Lillies for the Fillies
Location	Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Inaugurated	1875
Race type	Thoroughbred
Race information
Distance	1+1⁄8 miles
Surface	Dirt
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	3-year-old fillies
Weight	121 lb (55 kg)
Purse	$1.5 million 1st: $846,300

The Kentucky Oaks is a super exciting horse race held every year in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. It's a special race just for three-year-old female horses, called fillies. The race takes place at Churchill Downs and covers about 1.8 kilometers (1 and 1/8 miles). Each filly carries 121 pounds (about 55 kg).

This big event happens on the Friday right before the famous Kentucky Derby. The winning horse and its team get a huge prize of $846,300 from a total of $1,500,000! Plus, the winning filly gets a beautiful blanket made of lilies, which is why the race is often called "Lilies for the Fillies." The winner also receives a shiny silver Kentucky Oaks Trophy.

History of the Race

How the Kentucky Oaks Started

The very first Kentucky Oaks race happened a long time ago, on May 19, 1875. Back then, Churchill Downs was known as the Louisville Jockey Club. A person named Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. helped start this race. He also helped create other famous races like the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby are two of the oldest sports events in American history that have been held every single year without stopping! The Kentucky Oaks was inspired by a similar race in England called the Epsom Oaks, which started way back in 1779. In the first Kentucky Oaks race, a horse named Vinaigrette won. The race was a bit longer then, and Vinaigrette won $1,175.

A Race for Many Fans

The Kentucky Oaks is one of the most popular horse races in America. Lots of people love to watch it! Since 2001, about 100,000 people have come to watch the race each year. In 1980, about 50,000 people attended, and by 1989, that number grew to about 67,000.

The Kentucky Oaks usually has the third-highest attendance of any horse race in North America. It often has more viewers than other big races like the Belmont Stakes. Only the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes usually have more people watching.

The Filly Triple Crown

You might have heard of the "Triple Crown" for male horses. Well, there's a similar idea for fillies! The Kentucky Oaks is one of three important races for fillies. The others are the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the Acorn Stakes. Together, these races are sometimes called the "Filly Triple Crown" or the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing.

Pink for a Cause

On Kentucky Oaks Day, the race track at Churchill Downs turns pink! More than 100,000 guests are asked to wear something pink. This is a special way to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and support a good cause.

Race Distance Changes Over Time

The Kentucky Oaks race hasn't always been the same length. It has changed its distance four times throughout its history:

• From 1875 to 1890, the race was 1 and 1/2 miles long.
• From 1891 to 1895, it was 1 and 1/4 miles.
• From 1896 to 1919, it was 1 and 1/16 miles.
• From 1920 to 1941, it changed to 1 and 1/8 miles.
• From 1942 to 1981, it went back to 1 and 1/16 miles.
• Since 1982, the race has been 1 and 1/8 miles, and it's stayed that way.

Amazing Race Records

Here are some cool records from the Kentucky Oaks:

Fastest Times

• 1 and 1/8 miles: 1 minute, 48.28 seconds by Shedaresthedevil (in 2020).
• 1 and 1/2 miles: 2 minutes, 39 seconds by Felicia (1877), Belle of Nelson (1878), and Katie Creel (1882).
• 1 and 1/4 miles: 2 minutes, 15 seconds by Selika (1894).
• 1 and 1/16 miles: 1 minute, 43.6 seconds by Ari's Mona (1950) and Sweet Alliance (1977).

Biggest Win

• Largest winning margin: Rachel Alexandra won by a huge 20 and 1/4 lengths in 2009!

Surprise Winner

• Longest shot to win: Lemons Forever won in 2006 when her odds were 47 to 1, meaning almost no one expected her to win!

Most Wins by a Jockey

• 4 wins: Eddie Arcaro (1951, 1952, 1953, 1958)
• 4 wins: Manuel Ycaza (1959, 1960, 1963, 1968)

Female Jockeys Who Won

• Rosie Napravnik won twice (2012, 2014). She's a trailblazer!

Most Wins by a Trainer

• 5 wins: Woody Stephens (1959, 1960, 1963, 1978, 1981)
• 5 wins: D. Wayne Lukas (1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 2022)

Most Wins by an Owner

• 6 wins: Calumet Farm (1943, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1979)

Brothers Who Both Won

• Carl Seay Goose "Ganz" (1913) and Roscoe Tarleton Goose (1916). These brothers were also cousins of Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who founded the race!

Recent Winners

Here are some of the recent champions of the Kentucky Oaks:

See also

In Spanish: Kentucky Oaks para niños

• List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
• Road to the Kentucky Oaks
• Pink ribbon