Don't Forget the Kentucky Oaks

by Robby Maddux

This weekend's main attraction is certainly the 132nd Running of the Roses but let's don't forget about the Kentucky Oaks. A field of 14 talented fillies will competeat Churchill Downs for this Friday's ladies-only prelude to the Kentucky Derby, the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks to be seen on ESPN at 5 pm EST.

Bushfire, owned by the Homewrecker Stable of Ron and Ricki Rashinski,will break frompost 10 in the Oaks. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez will be aboard, as Bushfire figuresgo off as the second or third wagering choice, behind favored Balance, in the 1 1/8-mile filly classic.

Balance, with Victor Espinoza riding for trainer David Hofmans, drew post 4. Balance had built quite a resume coming into the Ashland, where Bushfire got the win, having won back-to-back races at Santa Anita, the Las Virgenes and Santa Anita Oaks. Trainer David Hofmans has said repeatedly that Balance did not run her race in the Ashland and that he expects her to return to top form in the Oaks.

Other major contenders for the Oaks include Diplomat Lady and Wait a While.Diplomat Ladywill break frompost 2, as 2 1/4-length winner of the Grade 2 Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland. Diplomat Lady upset Balance in the Hollywood Starlet in December before finishing behind her in the Las Virgenes and Santa Anita Oaks. Wait a While will be starting from post 8, who was the Ashland runner-up trained by Todd Pletcher.

Post positions from the rail: Miss Norman, Diplomat Lady, Quiet Kim, Balance, Red Cherries Spin, Ex Caelis, Wonder Lady Anne L, Wait a While, Itty Bitty Pretty, Bushfire, Top Notch Lady, Ermine, Last Romance, Lemons Forever.

Also, Friday's card at Churchill Downs includes the $100,000 turf Mamzelle Stakes for 3 year olds & up. This card ''eve of the Derby'' is a good one, so get your bets down in preparation of Saturday's Kentucky Derby. In addition to Saturday's big race, you can also catch the $200,000 Louisville Breeders' Cup. Other races include the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint, the Alysheba, Crown Royal American Turf Stakes and the Edgewood Stakes.

Comment or Questions? Email FaceOff@BetUS.com.