Malathaat Tops Field of 14 For 147th Running of the Kentucky Oaks
At 0h03, on April 27, 2021 • By CHURCHILL DOWNS
Shadwell Stable’s undefeated Malathaat has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in a field of 14 3-year-old fillies entered Monday for the 147th running of the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) to be run at 1 1/8 miles Friday afternoon.
The centerpiece of Friday’s 13-race program that features six graded stakes, the Longines Kentucky Oaks will go as the 11th race with a 5:51 p.m. post time. First post Friday is 10:30 a.m.
Live coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, which will reward the winner with a check of $767,250, will be provided by NBCSN’s telecast from noon to 6 p.m.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, a three-time Kentucky Oaks winner, Malathaat comes into Friday’s race off a victory in the Ashland (GI) at Keeneland on April 3 that served as her 2021 debut. John Velazquez, who won the 2004 Oaks for Pletcher on Ashado, has the mount and will break from post 10.
Co-second choice on the line at 3-1 are Klaravich Stables’ Search Results and OXO Equine’s Travel Column.
Trained by Chad Brown, Search Results is perfect in three starts with her most recent coming in Gazelle (GIII) on April 3 at the Oaks distance of 1 1/8 miles. Irad Ortiz Jr., who has been aboard for two of those three victories, has the mount Friday and will break from post 12.
Travel Column could give the trainer-jockey combination of Brad Cox and Florent Geroux a third Oaks victory and second in a row.
Cox and Geroux teamed to win the 2020 Oaks with Shedaresthedevil and in 2018 won with the champion Monomoy Girl. Geroux has been aboard Travel Column for all five of her starts with the most recent being a victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII). Travel Column will break from post six.
Cox will have one other starter in the race in Kueber Racing’s Coach (50-1). Third in the Fantasy (GIII) in her most recent start, Coach will be ridden by Luis Saez and break from post nine.
