COWGILL: Kentucky Oaks 144 Has 3 Main Contenders
Kentucky Oaks 144 is set for post-time on Friday May 4 at 6:12 pm at Churchill Downs. In the last two decades the race has grown exponentially to become the third biggest day of racing in the United States attendance and handle wise, behind only The Kentucky Derby and The Preakness. In 2018 a full field of 14 is expected to take the Grade 1 test, a mile-and-an-8th on real dirt. For many of the starters this will be the longest distance they've ever run before or may ever again. And the challenge of finishing that final 1/8th of a mile has historically separated good horses from great ones.
The deserving morning line favorite at 2-1 from post 14 is Monomoy Girl, 1 of 3 Oaks starters for Louisville native and 1998 Iroquois High School graduate Brad Cox. Cox is one of the up-and-coming young trainers in the United States, has very high rates of success with winners (30%) and horses in the money (57%). Monomoy Girl is a neck away from being unbeaten, comes off 2 graded stakes wins. Interestingly her only career loss was at Churchill Downs in The Golden Rod last November. Monomoy Girl has an extra burden in this race, starting from the extreme outside will force an early decision whether to hustle out of the gate for a forwardly placed spot but risk using too much energy, or take back to the rear of the pack and save ground and hope for a late rally, but be at the mercy of the front runners chasing a big field. She's versatile, has won both on the front end and from rallying positions. Cox also has the 6 Kelly's Humor (30-1) and the 1 Sassy Sienna (15-1) in The Oaks.
The second choice is the 10 Midnight Bisou (5-2) who has never finished worse than second in 5 starts, is 2 noses away from being unbeaten, and comes off 3 straight graded stakes wins in California. She will be a formidable challenger to the favorite with a better post position and likely a better and more favorable and less challenged stalking trip.
The sentimental choice for some will be the 2 Coach Rocks (12-1). She is trained by Louisville's Dale Romans and co-owned by ex-U of L Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino, who's possible return to Louisville to see her run in person appears to be a game time decision.
The choice here is the 10 Midnight Bisou.
