Meet the Contenders: 2024 Kentucky Oaks
Tarifa (Photo by Hodges Photgraphy)
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Tarifa (Photo by Hodges Photgraphy)
#1 Tarifa *****
Pro: Dominated the key Fair Grounds preps, which produced last year’s Oaks winner.
Con: Proved a bit hard to settle in Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and faces a much bigger field this time.
#2 Where’s My Ring ***
Pro: Bolted up to win Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct, her first win in eight tries.
Con: This is a far more difficult assignment for a filly unused to winning much.
Power Squeeze (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
#3 Power Squeeze ****
Pro: Enters on a four-race win streak, including rallying Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) triumph.
Con: Beat fillies last time with questionable stamina; tougher challenge here.
Leslie's Rose wins the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Leslie’s Rose *****
Pro: Bounced back from first loss to win Ashland (G1) very impressively.
Con: Struggled racing inside rivals two back, still a potential issue.
Thorpedo Anna wins the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media/Renee Torbit)
#5 Thorpedo Anna ****
Pro: Delivered scintillating win in the Fantasy (G3) off the bench; has won three of four.
Con: Hasn’t quite faced this quality of rival yet, and that’s the main drawback.
Just F Y I wins the Frizette (G1) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
#6 Just F Y I ****
Pro: Juvenile champ ran well in Ashland, a race she needed off a long break.
Con: Some division rivals seem to have caught up with and passed her; must quicken some.
GIn Gin at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#7 Gin Gin *
Pro: Owns useful experience over the Churchill strip, including a stakes placing.
Con: Made little impact in softer Aqueduct preps.
Fiona's Magic wins the Dovona Dale (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Angelo Lieto)
#8 Fiona’s Magic *
Pro: Davona Dale (G2) heroine threw in towel early last time; capable of better.
Con: Speedy lass would seemingly be a lot more competitive around one turn.
Tapit Jenallie at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#9 Tapit Jenallie *
Pro: Stakes winner has been landing minor shares at Oaklawn, for what it’s worth.
Con: Winless since November and must take it up several notches to get a piece here.
Everland wins the Bourbonette Oaks (Photo by Coady Photography)
#10 Everland *
Pro: 2-for-3 since the claim, including upset win in Bourbonette Oaks.
Con: Unproven over a conventional dirt track and lacks relative back class.
Lemon Muffin breaking her maiden in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Photography/Renee Torbit)
#11 Lemon Muffin **
Pro: Dazzling maiden win in Honeybee (G3) two back for five-time Oaks winner Lukas.
Con: Never involved in the Fantasy and perhaps a cut or two below the best here.
Into Champagne wins the Glitter Woman (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#12 Into Champagne **
Pro: Consistent record so far, winning or placing in all four starts.
Con: Duel and fade over 1 1/16 miles suggest nine furlongs might be a stretch
TwinSpires
#13 Ways and Means ****
Pro: Tough-trip second in Gulfstream Park Oaks off long layoff; can progress.
Con: Best odds ever await longtime backers, but still likely to be overbet.
TwinSpires
#14 Manama Gold **
Pro: Louisiana-bred cut her teeth in Dubai, where she went undefeated over the winter.
Con: Wasn’t facing much overseas and runner-up in UAE Oaks (G3) still a maiden.
Our Pretty Woman at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
#15 Our Pretty Woman ***
Pro: Ran super in stakes debut loss to Tarifa by a narrow margin.
Con: Likely must deal with a lot of other speed here while stretching out farther.
#16 Candied ***
Pro: One of the best of her generation at two and can move forward off belated season debut.
Con: Never made an impact despite going favored in Ashland.
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