What Is Oaks Day At The Kentucky Derby?
History – The Kentucky Oaks were first raced on May 19, 1875, when Churchill Downs was still known as the Louisville Jockey Club. This was the year when the race was inaugurated. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. was the man behind the creation of this competition, as well as the Kentucky Derby, the Clark Handicap, and the Falls City Handicap.
The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby are the oldest sports events in the history of the United States that are being actively competed in. The British Epsom Oaks served as the inspiration for the creation of the Kentucky Oaks. Since 1779, the race has been held yearly at Epsom Downs, which is located in Epsom, in the county of Surrey.
Vinaigrette was the winner of the first event, which was a mile race that was 1 and 12 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. He finished the race in a time of 2 minutes, 39 seconds, and 3 fourths, which earned him a prize of $1,175. Since then, the Kentucky Oaks has become an annual event in its own right.
The Kentucky Oaks was moved from the first week of May to the fourth week of September in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Due to the large number of people that watch it every year, the Kentucky Oaks is widely regarded as one of the most popular horse races in the culture of horse racing in the United States.
Since the 127th running of the Kentucky Oaks in 2001, it has consistently drawn around 100,000 spectators in attendance on a yearly basis. In 1980, there were around 50,000 individuals in attendance, and by 1989, that number had climbed to over 67,000 people.
- Attendance at the Kentucky Oaks typically outnumbers that of all other stakes races combined, including the Breeders’ Cup and the Belmont Stakes.
- The attendance for the Kentucky Oaks is ranked as the third highest in North America.
- Attendance in the Kentucky Oaks traditionally trails only that of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes; for additional information, read the article on the most attended events in American horse racing.
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races: the Kentucky Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and the Acorn Stakes. These races are conducted at Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park, respectively. The Kentucky Oaks is the first race in the series.
What is Oaks Day Kentucky?
The Longines Kentucky Oaks is the most prestigious and profitable race for 3-year-old fillies in the United States, and it is run annually on the day before the Kentucky Derby. The race takes place at Churchill Downs. This main race is a Grade 1 stakes race with a purse of $1.25 million, and the winning filly will be presented with a garland of lilies.
What does oaks mean in horse racing?
The Oaks is one of the English Classic horse races, along with the Derby, Saint Leger, Two Thousand Guineas, and One Thousand Guineas. It is a competition for three-year-old fillies and was first held in 1779. The race is held at Epsom Downs in Surrey, which is also the location of the Derby. The course is approximately 1.5 miles (about 2,400 meters) in length.
How many races are on Oaks Day?
The Friday event known as Oak Day has a total of thirteen races. The first one starts at 10:30 in the morning, while the last one starts at 7:00 in the evening. The Kentucky Oaks, which is the 11th race, is the primary event, and the post time for it is 5:51 in the evening.
Why do they call it the Oaks?
History – The Kentucky Oaks were first raced on May 19, 1875, when Churchill Downs was still known as the Louisville Jockey Club. This was the year when the race was inaugurated. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. was the man behind the creation of this competition, as well as the Kentucky Derby, the Clark Handicap, and the Falls City Handicap.
- The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby are the oldest sports events in the history of the United States that are being actively competed in.
- The British Epsom Oaks served as the inspiration for the creation of the Kentucky Oaks.
- Since 1779, the race has been held yearly at Epsom Downs, which is located in Epsom, in the county of Surrey.
Vinaigrette was the winner of the first event, which was a mile race that was 1 and 12 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. He finished the race in a time of 2 minutes, 39 seconds, and 3 fourths, which earned him a prize of $1,175. Since then, the Kentucky Oaks has become an annual event in its own right.
- The Kentucky Oaks was moved from the first week of May to the fourth week of September in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.
- Because so many people watch it every year, the Kentucky Oaks is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the history of horse racing in the United States.
Since the 127th running of the Kentucky Oaks in 2001, it has consistently drawn around 100,000 people each year to the event’s attendance. In 1980, there were around 50,000 individuals in attendance, and by 1989, that number had climbed to over 67,000 people.
- Attendance at the Kentucky Oaks typically outnumbers that of all other stakes races combined, including the Breeders’ Cup and the Belmont Stakes.
- The attendance for the Kentucky Oaks is ranked as the third highest in North America.
- Attendance in the Kentucky Oaks traditionally trails only that of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes; for additional information, read the article on the most attended events in American horse racing.
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races: the Kentucky Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and the Acorn Stakes. These races are conducted at Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park, respectively. The Kentucky Oaks is the first race in the series.
Why is it called Oaks day?
The sixth of May, 2022 – On Friday The Longines Kentucky Oaks is the most prestigious and profitable race for 3-year-old fillies in the United States, and it is run annually on the day before the Kentucky Derby. The race takes place at Churchill Downs.
- The “lilies for the fillies” event is the featured competition, and it is a Grade 1 stakes race with a purse of $1.25 million.
- The winning filly receives a garland of lilies, thus the race’s name.
- In addition to being one of the athletic events in American history that has been conducted continuously for the longest period of time, the Longines Kentucky Oaks race is also unique in that it is one of the few horse races that still takes place at the location where it was first staged.
Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, who also organized the Kentucky Derby, created this competition on May 19, 1875, and he based it on the British Epsom Oaks. The event has been held continuously since its inception. Take a look at the fillies that are competing in the Longines Kentucky Oaks.
The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes are the three races that make up the Triple Crown of racing. The Kentucky Oaks Day event held at Churchill Downs is the second most attended horse race in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby. In addition to the electrifying excitement of live horse racing, spectators celebrate fashion and raise money for important causes related to the health of women.
Churchill Downs Racetrack is a vision in pink on Kentucky Oaks Day because more than 100,000 guests are asked to incorporate pink into their attire in an effort to drive national attention to the fight against breast and ovarian cancer. This is done in an effort to drive national attention to the fight against breast and ovarian cancer.
The Survivors Parade, which is a march of breast and ovarian cancer survivors that takes place on the historic racecourse before to the running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks, is one of the most well-respected traditions that have developed as a result of this endeavor over the last 14 years. Because to the COVID-19 social distancing norms, the parade was conducted in a digital format beginning in the year 2020 and continuing until 2021.
We are excited that the live parade will be back in 2022, and we hope that you will be able to join us in recognizing the survivors who were chosen in 2020 when they finally get to experience the long-awaited ride around the track. Since it was established, the Kentucky Oaks humanitarian effort has contributed more than one million dollars to various charitable causes.
Churchill Downs has joined with the Breast Health Program at Norton Cancer Institute and Horses & Hope to promote the life-changing work that both organizations do throughout the state of Kentucky as part of the philanthropic endeavor known as Kentucky Oaks that is being held this year. Find Out More Information Regarding the Survivors Parade If you are interested in going to the Kentucky Oaks, you should know that it is encouraged that you wear everything pink, from hats to handkerchiefs, suits to sundresses, sunglasses to stilettos, and everything in between! In recognition of the stargazer lily, which serves as the official flower of the Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs encourages guests to “THINK PINK” while selecting an outfit to wear on Kentucky Oaks day.
You have the chance to walk away with a Longines timepiece if you participate in the Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest and show off your best pink threads. Find Out More Information Regarding the Longines Fashion Contest
What horses run in the Oaks?
148th Running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks
| Program | Horse | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secret Oath | 1st |
| 4 | Nest | 2nd |
| 9 | Desert Dawn | 3rd |
| 7 | Echo Zulu | 4th |
Is the Kentucky Oaks only for fillies?
Race Events Everything you need to know about the Kentucky Oaks, including its history, betting options, odds, handicapping, preparatory races, winners, history, results, contenders, and tickets. On May 19, 1875, two days after the inaugural running of the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks was first raced.
- This marked the beginning of the race.
- The Oaks is the longest continually run stakes in the United States that is confined to three-year-old fillies.
- It has been raced entirely at Churchill Downs and is customarily run the day before the Derby.
- This makes it the longest continuously run stakes in the United States.
The Oaks Stakes in England served as the inspiration for the design of the Kentucky Oaks, which was initially run at a distance of 1 and a half miles. It was shortened to one and a quarter miles in the late 19th century, and for the bulk of its renewals in the 20th century, it was shortened even more to one and a sixteenth of a mile.
- On the other hand, since 1982, the course has been set at its current distance of 1 1/8 miles.
- As the Oaks has gained prominence over the past few decades, the amount of money up for grabs in the race has increased to one million dollars, and crowds of more than one hundred thousand people have become the norm, making it the non-Triple Crown race with the highest attendance in the United States.
Since Vinaigrette won the first Oaks race in 1875, several horses that have gone on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame have gone on to win the event. Princess Doreen (1925), Real Delight (1952), Cicada (1962), Dark Mirage (1968), Susan’s Girl (1972), Davona Dale (1979), Bold ‘n Determined (1980), Princess Rooney (1983), Open Mind (1989), Silverbulletday (1999), Ashado (2004), and Rachel Alexander are some of the films that fall into this category (2009).
- Rags to Riches (2007) is anticipated to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at some point in the near future.
- This is because, after winning the Oaks, she went on to achieve a historic victory in the 2007 Belmont Stakes, becoming the first filly to win the event in more than a century.
- The only horse to ever win the Kentucky Oaks and go on to be awarded Horse of the Year was Rachel Alexandra, who set a new record when she won the Oaks by a margin of 20 and a quarter lengths and went on to win the Preakness later that same year.
Rachel Alexandra was admitted into the Hall of Fame in the year 2016, after she had been retired for a total of six years. Other horses that have won the Oaks and then gone on to win their respective divisional championships include Wistful (1949), Tiffany Lass (1986), Farda Amiga (2002), Bird Town (2003), Proud Spell (2008), Blind Luck (2010), and Untapable (2014), Abel Tasman (2017), Monomoy Girl (2018), and Malathaat (2021).
Do male and female horses run against each other?
If you click on any of the links on this page that take you to items sold by Amazon, those links are affiliate links, and I will receive a compensation for any purchases you make via them. I want to express my gratitude in advance and say how much I appreciate it! It is difficult for most individuals to determine the gender of a racehorse, particularly while the horse is traveling at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour along a racetrack.
As a result, people frequently suppose that all of the horses are male. But is this really the case? Are there any female racehorses? There are no gender restrictions placed on racehorses. When competing against their male counterparts, mares (female horses) frequently emerge victorious. Many of the most successful racehorses in history have been females.
The respect that should be shown to female racehorses is rarely shown. The widespread belief that men are superior athletes extends beyond horseracing; nevertheless, the evidence contradicts this impression. Mindy, our filly, is making her way toward the gates. 
What do you wear to Oaks day?
In accordance with this dress code for women, you are expected to wear lovely pastels and intricate floral patterns. Dress to impress on Ladies Day at the Oaks, which has the most elegant attire requirements of all of the racing days. Embrace delicate details such as lace, roses, and pastel designs.
Can men go to Oaks day?
Day of the Oaks in Melbourne in 2022 Date, the Price of Tickets, the Race Times, and the Dress Code – The Spring Racing Carnival is comprised of many racing days, each of which has its own unique horse race. The Melbourne Cup is the most prestigious race of the Spring Racing Carnival.
It is run on the first Tuesday of November each year and is seen as being of such significance that it has been given the status of a state holiday in the state of Victoria. The dates of the other races have been chosen to correspond with those of the Melbourne Cup. On Oaks Day, up to 100,000 people may be found at the Flemington Racecourse in Victoria, Australia.
The most important race of the day is the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks, which is worth $1 million and features the most talented three-year-old staying fillies competing for the title in the most rigorous evaluation of their staying credentials possible. By riding Willowy to victory in the 2021 Kennedy Oaks, Damien Oliver solidified his position as one of the all-time greats of horse racing on the Australian turf.
- Oliver won his 126th Group 1 race in his career, tying the record held by the renowned jockey George Moore.
- Oliver’s accomplishment is only second to Moore’s.
- The values of elegance, femininity, flair, and grace are central to the Kennedy Oaks Day celebration.
- The day of the race is one in which spectators may give in to their sense of amazement and break away from the monotony of the workweek.
It is one of the finest days of the year for guys to dress up and explore fashion since the style is not just for the females; the men also take it up a notch, making it one of the best days of the year for men to explore fashion. The Kennedy Oaks race day is a highly well-known and well-attended fashion event.
Attendees dress in their springtime best for the occasion, including colorful gowns, hats, and fascinators for the women and fitted suits for the men. During Oaks Day, there is a competition called “Fashion on the Fields,” and there are prizes up for grabs that are worth several thousands of dollars.
Since there is no dress requirement for public admission, you are free to wear whatever you choose as long as it is nice and not too casual. On the other hand, the majority of attendees do dress up, wearing suits and summer dresses. The racing track sells food and beverages, but many spectators bring their own picnics with them to enjoy as they watch the races.
- Because gambling is such a popular pastime, you should be sure to bring along some extra cash so that you may wager on some of Australia’s most prestigious races.
- There is an abundance of public transportation to Oaks Day, including trains that operate directly there and trams that stop only a short distance away.
On days when there are races at Flemington Racecourse, special trains travel straight to the venue. Flinders Street Station, Southern Cross Station, and North Melbourne Station are the three stations from which trains depart towards Flemington Racecourse.
Do you have to wear pink to the Kentucky Oaks?
If you are interested in going to the Kentucky Oaks, you should know that it is encouraged that you wear everything pink, from hats to handkerchiefs, suits to sundresses, sunglasses to stilettos, and everything in between! When considering what to wear to the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs encourages guests to “THINK PINK.”
What’s the difference between Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby – Which Race Should You Watch? The type of horses that are eligible to compete is the primary criterion that differentiates the two events from one another. It comes down to the gender of the horse in the end because both trots are for three-year-old horses.
Only 3-year-old female horses, sometimes known as fillies, are eligible to qualify for and compete in The Oaks since it is a gender-restricted race. The Derby, on the other hand, is available to colts, geldings, and fillies that meet the requirements. The fact that female horses are allowed to run in the Kentucky Derby stands out as an anomaly in the world of horse racing.
For the sake of comparison, colts, geldings, and fillies generally carry 121 pounds, while colts and geldings often carry 126 pounds. Both of these competitions are run over various distances as well. The Kentucky Oaks is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, whereas the Derby is run over a distance of 1 1/4 miles, making it longer by a furlong.
Although there is no formal justification given for the different distances, it is commonly considered that the Oaks is a shorter race because fillies are less capable of going the extra furlong. This is despite the fact that there is no official reason given for the different distances. Last but not least, the first-place award and the purse for each of the two races are drastically different from one another.
Take a look: The Kentucky Derby has a total purse of $3 million, with the first-place prize being to $1,860,00. The purse for the Kentucky Oaks is $1.25 million, and the first-place prize is $750,000. 
What do you wear to Oaks day?
In accordance with this dress code for women, you are expected to wear lovely pastels and intricate floral patterns. Dress to impress on Ladies Day at the Oaks, which has the most elegant attire requirements of all of the racing days. Embrace delicate details such as lace, roses, and pastel designs.
Do you have to wear pink to the Kentucky Oaks?
If you are interested in going to the Kentucky Oaks, you should know that it is encouraged that you wear everything pink, from hats to handkerchiefs, suits to sundresses, sunglasses to stilettos, and everything in between! When considering what to wear to the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs encourages guests to “THINK PINK.”