A return to a normal at Churchill Downs after two years of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions helped spur wagering records for Kentucky Oaks day May 6.
Wagering from all-sources on the full Oaks day race card reached an Oaks day record of $74.6 million, up 37% compared with 2021 and up 24% compared to the previous record established in 2019 of $60.2 million.
All-sources wagering on this year's $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) race won by Secret Oath was $24.3 million, up 40% from last year's Oaks race and up 25% from the previous record of $19.4 million in 2019.
"Today we celebrate Secret Oath and her connections," Churchill Downs track president Mike Anderson said in a statement. "The 148th Kentucky Oaks will be remembered as a triumphant return to a full-capacity crowd. We thank the fans, sponsors, horsemen, horseplayers, and all participants who contributed to today's record-breaking success."
The crowd of 100,188 more than doubled the deliberately reduced announced crowd of 41,472 a year ago. Despite a forecast of rain, the day was mostly pleasant with only intermittent showers—until just after the Oaks when the race after it was delayed for a storm to pass.
The previous "normal" Oaks in 2019 saw 105,719 attend. No fans were allowed to attend the 2020 Oaks; only horsemen and media. Some new amenities at Churchill have reduced permanent seating.
In early wagering for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) Friday, TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Epicenter was a slight 5-1 favorite over Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Taiba , also 5-1, as of about 7:30 p.m.
Messier and Mo Donegal both were 7-1, and morning-line favorite Zandon was 8-1. All others were 10-1 or more. Rich Strike, who made it in the race off the also-eligible list, was at 129-1, according to a Churchill Downs release.
TwinSpires.com showed $876,367 in the win pool, $291,166 in the place pool and $268,791 in the show pool, for a collective total of almost $1.44 million. That's a small percentage of the money that will ultimately be in each of those pools.
$1 Oaks/Derby Double Will Pays With Secret Oath (No. 1)
1. Mo Donegal, $51.80
2. Happy Jack, $622.50
3. Epicenter, $25.10
4. Summer Is Tomorrow, $511.70
5. Smile Happy, $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. Pioneer of Medina, $534.80
12. Taiba, $32.40
13. Simplification , $201.30
14. Barber Road, $329.60
15. White Abarrio, $79.70
16. Cyberknife , $91.20
17. Classic Causeway, $550.00
18. Tawny Port, $651.40
19. Zozos , $309.00
20. Ethereal Road , scratched
21. Rich Strike , $973.20
22. Rattle N Roll, scratched
