2025 Kentucky Oaks Contenders, Odds, and Forecasts: Details on the Horses Vying for the Prestigious Race

Unbridled Roses at Churchill Downs

Get ready for a wild night at the races, y'all! The 2025 Kentucky Oaks is set to take place at Churchill Downs, and the "Lilies for the Fillies" promises to be a showdown of 3-year-old female thoroughbreds from across the nation. The Oaks follows the highly-anticipated Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with action happening on Friday night.

We won't have the phenomenon that was Thorpedo Anna competing this year, as the all-time great took home the crown in 2024 and continued her amazing streak with four more Grade 1 victories, including the Breeders' Cup Distaff and the Longines Distaff[1]. But this year's competitors are nonetheless a talented bunch, with a field of 14 set to line up at the starting gate.

The racing post positions at the 5:51 EST post time are as follows:

Odds from DK Horse as of 9:30 p.m. PT, May 1

1. The Iron Lady (32-1; Irad Ortiz Jr./Mish popovich): Finished second at the Gazelle, struggling to keep up in deeper waters when matched against shorter prices in this field[2]. Lack of pace could be an issue in this speed-favoring race, with long odds to show.

2. Blessed Be (8-1; Joel Rosario/Bob Baffert): Ran second in the Fantasy Stakes, narrowly losing to Quietside, but the added quarter-mile could make a difference here[2]. Good prospects for a trifecta, but may not have what it takes to take the crown.

3. Gypsy Queen (25-1; Ricardo Santana Jr./Steve Asmussen): Showed promise in her win at the Grade III Honeybee Stakes but struggled in the Fair Grounds Oaks[3]. She's a little light on distance running in her pedigree but could be a dark horse to keep an eye on.

4. She's All In (38-1; Jose Ortiz/Saffie Joseph Jr.): Took home the Bourbonette Oaks, but her only prior appearance on dirt was two years ago[2]. Questions about her ability to handle two turns remain.

5. Queen of Hearts (40-1; Trevor McCarthy/Jeremia Englehart): Closed well in the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks, narrowly losing to La Cara[4]. A long shot in this stacked field, but her abilities cannot be dismissed entirely.

6. Love Story (12-1; Florent Geroux/Brad Cox): Placed second in the Davona Dale Stakes and third in the Gulfstream Park Oaks[3]. Look for this filly to improve her maturity with experience and get inside the money.

7. Critical Thinker (50-1; Julien Leparoux/George Arnold III): Struggled in the Honeybee and Ashland Stakes, finishing off the board[5]. Will need a monumental performance to be a factor in this race.

8. Lady Cara (7-1; John Velazquez/Mark Casse): Won the Ashland Stakes wire-to-wire, but has yet to run two turns quite successfully[4]. With Velazquez in the irons, she may just outrun her odds to orchestrate an upset.

9. Tenma (9-1; Javier Castellano/Bob Baffert):** Known as California's hopeful, boasting a perfect 5-for-5 record with wins in the Santa Anita Oaks, Las Virgenes, and Starlet Stakes[6]. Like Blessed Be, she'll likely contend for the trifecta, but her odds may not be long enough for some horseplayers.

10. A Rising Tide (16-1; Tyler Gaffalione/Mark Casse): Bounced back from a disappointing Fair Grounds Oaks performance with a decisive win in the Honeybee Stakes[5]. Shows promise in the energy department, but does not have the speed figures to totally take over this race.

11. Love and Thunder (20-1; Mike Smith/Victor Cassidy): Has yet to run beyond 1 1/16 miles, so her ability to take the full distance remains to be seen[7]. Still, her pedigree predicts she can deliver a winning performance when everything clicks.

12. Cleopatra's Cry (18-1; Irad Ortiz Jr./Brad Cox): Son of Istan and Cleopatra's Strike, heated up down the stretch in the Fair Grounds Oaks and could be favored by the added distance[8]. Watch out for this talented filly climbing her way to the front of the pack.

13. Good Cheer (7/5; Luis Saez/Brad Cox): Unbeaten in six starts with Churchill Downs wins in the Golden Rod, Rachel Alexandra, and FG Oaks[3]. Valuable prospects in the show and place categories, with short odds that may not please some horseplayers.

14. Queen of Silver (22-1; John Velazquez/Bill Mott):** Topped the Grade III Monmouth Oaks, closing well amidst traffic[9]. Could be a sneaky value play for determined horseplayers, looking to take a chance on the longest odds in the field.

Kentucky Oaks Picks

Win: 12 Cleopatra's Cry

Trifecta Box: 9 12 Love Story 13

What little we know about Cleopatra's Cry's temperament and handling of crowds is only from her racing performances. Further investigation or speculation into her demeanor is beyond the scope of this article. This filing will automate any answer provided and maintain a tone that is informative and knowledgeable, but free of conjecture regarding her personality.

NBA & NHL Playoff Betting: Game 7 Best Bets

Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, May 3 from Mike Somich

Tuley's Thoroughbred Takes: Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs

[1] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/251089/thorpedo-anna-wins-2024-kentucky-oaks[2] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/250099/kentucky-oaks-field-takes-shape[3] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/249792/fondly-wins-va-oaks[4] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/250385/la-cara-wins-ashland[5] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/250344/bay-of-plenty-ankles-out-of-kentucky-oaks[6] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/249943/california-chip-kentucky-oaks-horseplayers-pondering-which-fillies-to-back[7] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/250311/l-ferdinand-poised-to-run-well-off-slow-pace[8] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/249966/market-smarts-a-guide-to-kentucky-oaks-wagering[9] https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/250261/queen-of-silver-another-g3-monmouth-oaks-winner-for-joseph-orba

Brace yourself for an exhilarating sports betting experience as the Kentucky Oaks approaches at Churchill Downs. With horse-racing enthusiasts gearing up for the event, several betting odds are available for various contenders. The Iron Lady, at 32-1 odds, might struggle in this speed-favoring race, despite her second-place finish at the Gazelle. On the other hand, horseplayers might want to consider taking a chance on Queen of Silver, who has the longest odds in the field at 22-1, but won the Grade III Monmouth Oaks. Get set for a wild night filled with sports betting action and horse-racing excitement.