The Kentucky Oaks is the most prestigious race for three-year-old fillies in America, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. To qualify for the Kentucky Oaks, a horse must meet certain criteria and go through a rigorous process.
The History of the Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks has been around since 1875, making it the oldest continuously run stakes race for fillies in the United States. The race was established by Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., who was the grandson of William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Kentucky Oaks is traditionally held the day before the Kentucky Derby and is one of the most prestigious races for female horses in the world.
Qualifying Requirements for the Kentucky Oaks
To qualify for the Kentucky Oaks, a horse must meet certain criteria. A horse must be three-years-old and a female. The horse must also have been nominated for the Kentucky Oaks at least 10 months prior to the race. The horse must have earned a certain amount of points in designated races in order to be eligible to enter the Kentucky Oaks.
The Points System
The points system is used to determine which horses qualify for the Kentucky Oaks. Points are earned based on a horse’s performance in designated races throughout the year. The higher the purse of the race, the more points a horse can earn. Points are awarded on a sliding scale, with the most points being earned in the highest-purse races.
Designated Races
There are a number of designated races for which a horse can earn points for the Kentucky Oaks. These races include:
- Grade 1 Races – These are the most prestigious races in the world and usually carry the highest purses.
- Grade 2 Races – These are less prestigious than Grade 1 races, but still offer substantial purses.
- Grade 3 Races – These are the lowest level of graded races, but still offer substantial purses.
- Ungraded Stakes Races – These are races that are not graded but still offer substantial purses.
Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the points system, there are other eligibility requirements that must be met in order to qualify for the Kentucky Oaks. A horse must have been nominated for the Kentucky Oaks at least 10 months prior to the race. The horse must also have been bred in either the United States or Canada.
Qualifying Races
The qualifying races for the Kentucky Oaks are the Grade 1 races that are designated as “Kentucky Oaks Prep Races”. These races include the Santa Anita Oaks, the Ashland Stakes, the Fantasy Stakes, the Santa Ysabel Stakes, the Appalachian Stakes, the Santa Anita Derby, the Blue Grass Stakes, and the Arkansas Derby.
Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard
The Kentucky Oaks points leaderboard is updated after each qualifying race. The leaderboard lists the top 15 horses that have earned the most points in the designated races. The top four horses on the leaderboard at the time of the race are guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Oaks.
The Selection Process
The selection process for the Kentucky Oaks is rigorous and requires a great deal of time and effort on the part of the horse’s owners and trainers. Horses must be nominated for the Kentucky Oaks at least 10 months prior to the race. They must also have earned a certain amount of points in designated races in order to qualify for the race.
Selection Committee
A selection committee is responsible for selecting the horses that will compete in the Kentucky Oaks. The selection committee is made up of representatives from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Churchill Downs, and the Breeders’ Cup. The committee reviews the horses that have been nominated for the Kentucky Oaks and determines which horses will be allowed to compete in the race.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee uses a number of criteria to determine which horses are eligible to compete in the Kentucky Oaks. The criteria include the horse’s performance in designated races, its pedigree, its conformation, its soundness, and its overall health. The selection committee also considers the horse’s overall record and the opinion of the horse’s trainer.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Kentucky Oaks begins with the nomination of the horse at least 10 months prior to the race. The horse must then earn a certain amount of points in designated races in order to qualify for the race. The selection committee then reviews the horses that have been nominated and determines which horses will be allowed to compete in the race.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Oaks is the most prestigious race for three-year-old fillies in America, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. To qualify for the Kentucky Oaks, a horse must meet certain criteria and go through a rigorous process. The horse must be three-years-old and a female, have been nominated for the Kentucky Oaks at least 10 months prior to the race, and have earned a certain amount of points in designated races in order to be eligible to enter the Kentucky Oaks. The selection committee then reviews the horses that have been nominated and determines which horses will be allowed to compete in the race.