Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Kentucky Oaks undercard

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard on Friday, May 2 at Churchill Downs, including a Pick 4 ending in the Oaks.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• New Players $200 Sign-Up Bonus: Open your TwinSpires.com account using the offer code BET200 to start earning a $200 bonus.
• 10x Points at Fraser Downs: Receive 10x reward points on all wagers (excluding show bets) at Fraser Downs each Friday.
• Kentucky Derby Week $10 Money Back: Get up to $10 back on your first single-horse win bet in any eligible race at Churchill Downs from April 26 through May 3 if your horse finishes second or third.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $1,000 Kentucky Oaks KDBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Churchill Downs: Race 8: Modesty (G3, 1 1/8 miles on turf, 3:12 p.m. ET)

#2 Gimme a Nother (7-2) went 7-for-7 in South Africa before making her U.S. debut in the 1 1/8-mile Hillsborough (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs. In her first start off an 11-month layoff, Gimme a Nother closed ground from behind a modest pace to finish second by three-quarters of a length.

According to the Equibase GPS result chart, Gimme a Nother rocketed her final furlong in :10.89. With a little better pace setup in the Modesty, Gimme a Nother can potentially spring a mild upset over two-time Grade 1 winner #7 She Feels Pretty (6-5), who is making her first run of the season.

Taking advantage of the Kentucky Derby Week $10 Money Back offer, we’ll place a $10 win bet on Gimme a Nother and receive a refund if she settles for second or third place. We’ll also play her with She Feels Pretty to start Pick 4 wagers ending with #11 Good Cheer in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Selections

• #2 Gimme a Nother (7-2)
• #7 She Feels Pretty (6-5)
• #8 Saffron Moon (3-1)

Wagers

• $10 to win on #2 Gimme a Nother
• $3 Pick 4: 7 with 4,12 with 4,9 with 11 ($12)
• $2 Pick 4: 2 with 4,12 with 4,9 with 11 ($8)
  Total: $30

Churchill Downs: Race 8: Eight Belles (G3, seven furlongs on dirt, 4:07 p.m. ET)

#12 Eclatant (5-2) is 3-for-3 sprinting and suffered her lone defeat when finishing third in the 1 1/16-mile Golden Rod (G2) to Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorites Good Cheer and Quietside. She kicked off 2025 with a rallying victory in the seven-furlong Forward Gal (G3), counting Tempted S. winner Stunner and next-out Davona Dale (G2) winner The Queens M G among her beaten rivals.

We’ll continue to capitalize on the Kentucky Derby Week $10 Money Back promotion with a $10 win bet on Eclatant. Then we’ll single her to start a double bet and play her alongside runaway Beaumont (G2) winner #4 Verity (3-1) in the Pick 4.

Selections

• #12 Eclatant (5-2)
• #4 Verity (3-1)
• #10 Impulse Buy (7-2)

Wagers

• $10 to win on #12 Eclatant
• $10 Double: 2 with 4,9 ($20)
  Total: $30

Churchill Downs: Race 10: Unbridled Sidney (G3, 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, 4:51 p.m. ET)

#4 Ag Bullet (8-5) is a capable miler; she finished third by one length when last seen in the Matriarch (G1). But she’s at her best sprinting. Last year, she won the Ladies Turf Sprint (G3), Monrovia (G3), and Wishing Well S. dashing 6 1/2 furlongs and placed third by a neck in the five-furlong Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

Ag Bullet is a logical favorite in the Unbridled Sidney, but she hasn’t run since December, so in our Pick 3 and double bets we’ll back her up with #9 Queen Maxima (2-1). The latter filly has won four starts in a row and is 3-for-3 this year, most recently wiring the Monrovia by 4 1/4 lengths.

For the purpose of the Kentucky Derby Week $10 Money Back promotion, we’ll place a $10 win bet on Ag Bullet.

Selections

• #4 Ag Bullet (8-5)
• #9 Queen Maxima
• #3 Gavea (15-1)

Wagers

• $10 to win on #4 Ag Bullet

Good luck!

Join us for our upcoming LIVE blogs!

May 1-3 | LIVE coverage of Thurby, Oaks, and Kentucky Derby Day with exclusive up-to-date all-access trackside coverage. LIVE race odds, including Kentucky Derby odds, picks, entries for all the races, and so much more!

LIVE blog participants include:

Jason Beem | Thursday 12-3 p.m.
Vance Hanson | Friday 3-5 p.m. | Saturday 1-4 p.m.
Keeler Johnson | Thursday 12-3 p.m. | Friday 3-5 p.m. | Saturday 1-4 p.m.
Jennifer Kelly | Thursday 3-6:30 p.m. | Friday 12:30-3 p.m. | Saturday 4-6 p.m.
Dean Keppler | Friday 12:30-3 p.m. | Saturday 4-6 p.m.
John Mucciolo | Thursday 12-3 p.m. | Friday 3-5 p.m.
Kellie Reilly | Thursday 3-6:30 p.m. | Friday 12:30-3 p.m. | Saturday 12-4 p.m.

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