clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Oaks / Derby Race Schedules

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 01: Horses run in the Louisville Distaff prior to the 135th Kentucky Oaks on May 1, 2009 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 01: Horses run in the Louisville Distaff prior to the 135th Kentucky Oaks on May 1, 2009 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

From the Churchill Downs 2010 Spring Meet condition book, the tentative Oaks and Derby undercard schedule.

 

Friday, April 30th

#

Race

Age/Sex

Distance

Surface

1

MdSpWt

3 up, F&M

6f

Dirt

2

MdSpWt

3 up, F&M

8f

Turf

3

MdSpWt

3 up, F&M

8f

Dirt

4

Allowance/OC

3yo, F&M

6f

Dirt

5

N$X Allowance

3 up, F&M

7f

Dirt

6

G3 - Kentucky Juvenile

2 yo

5f

Dirt

7

G2 - La Troienne

3 up, F&M

8.5f

Dirt

8

G3 - CD Turf Sprint

3 up

5f

Turf

9

G3 - Alysheba

3 up

8.5f

Dirt

10

G2 - American Turf

3 yo

8.5f

Turf

11

G1 - Kentucky Oaks

3 yo, Filllies

9f

Dirt

12

Allowance/OC

3 up, F&M

8f

Turf

 

Saturday, May 1st:

#

Race

Age/Sex

Distance

Surface

1

MdSpWt

3 up

6f

Dirt

2

MdSpWt

3 up, F&M

8.5f

Turf

3

MdSpWt

3 up

8f

Dirt

4

Allowance/OC

3 yo

6f

Dirt

5

Allowance/OC

3 yo

8.5

Dirt

6

G2 - Churchill Downs

4 up

7f

Dirt

7

G3 - Eight Belles

3 yo, Fillies

7.5f

Dirt

8

G2 - Distaff Turf Mile

3 up, F&M

8f

Turf

9

G1 - Humana Distaff

4 up, F&M

7f

Dirt

10

G1 - Woodford Turf Classic

3 up

8.5f

Turf

11

G1- Kentucky Derby

3 yo

10f

Dirt

12

N$X Allowance

3 up

7f

Dirt

13

Allowance/OC

3 up

8.5

Turf

 

  • I like the fact that Churchill has scheduled a turf race as the final event on both the Derby and Oaks days.  A late Pick 3 or Daily Double starting with the Oaks or Derby can be a nice little way to close the day...or try and dig out of a hole.
  • Informed Decision, champion filly and mare sprinter for 2009, is nominated to the Grade 1 Humana Distaff.  Don't know if that would be her best spot considering she does most of her damage over synthetic surfaces.  Prior to her loss in the Grade 1 Vinery Madison on April 8th, Informed Decision had lost on three races in her career, all of which were on dirt.  If she enters, she might make a good "bet against".
  • The Grade 2 American Turf on the Oaks undercard has the potential to be a hell of a betting race.  Check out the list of current nominees to that race at Chruchill Downs home page.  There are some very nice three year olds on that list, including Interactif, Radiohead (GB), Exhi, Paddy O'Prado...essentially we've got a collection of turf and synthetic horses that couldn't make it to the Derby (with the exception of Interactif, who has enough earnings to run in the Derby).
  • My favorite race on the Derby undercard is the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, even though NBC refuses to ever show us this race during the two hours they are live on the air.  Eighty-one horses were nominated to this race, making if very likely that we'll see another big and competitive field.  This race can key a very nice Daily Double with the Derby if you can hit it.

    There is one way that NBC might be bothered to show this race live and that's if Nicanor, Barbaro's brother, draws into the field (he's on the the 81 nominations).  You know NBC would like nothing more than to hit up that storyline.