Fillies Step Up For 2013 Kentucky Oaks

While horse racing fans look forward to the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2013, it will actually be ladies first, with the 139^th running of the $1M Grade I Kentucky Oaks that hits the starting gate on Friday, May 3, 2013. Run at 1 1/8 miles over the main track at legendary Churchill Downs, the Oaks is considered one of the per-eminent races for 3-year-old fillies in the world.

Beholder leads the field as the top Oaks contender

While it's expected that the Oaks race will draw a full complement of 14 starters, the prep races have produced a few top contenders. That group is led by 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies champion Beholder. The Richard Mandela-trained daughter of Henny Hughes was considered to more likely be a sprinter, but proved her doubters wrong with a 1 1/16 mile wire-to-wire win at Santa Anita last November. Beholder has recorded five wins, including the GI Santa Anita Oaks, and two second place runs from eight starts and $1.5 million in life time earnings.

Kentucky Oaks: Unlimited Budget is a top challenger

Also expected to contend for the Oaks title is the unbeaten Street Sense filly Unlimited Budget. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Florida-bred has already won at the Oaks distance as she won the Grade II Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct last fall. She overcame trouble and a wide trip to rally from 5^th and win the Grade III Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds in February. Other fillies to watch include Dreaming of Julia, 3^rd to Beholder in the BC Juvenile Fillies, Emollient, winner of the Grade I Ashland, and the Bob Baffert-trained Fiftyshadesofhay - love the name!