The $1 million Kentucky Oaks is a premiere race for Thoroughbred three-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs, the female counterpart to the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/8-mile event is offered the Friday before the Kentucky Derby, which takes place on the first Saturday in May every year.

The 141^st running of the 2015 Kentucky Oaks is May 1. The Derby and Oaks are the longest continuously held sporting events in America, originating in 1875.

Oaks attendance reached 100,000 for the first time in 1999 (101,034) and 113,071 people filled the stands at the Louisville, Kentucky track despite cold and cloudy conditions in 2014, the third-largest crowd ever. It is often the second-most attended event in Thoroughbred racing behind the Kentucky Derby.

Since 1999, Churchill Downs has partnered with Bright Pink, a non-profit organization that focuses upon prevention and treatment of breast and ovarian cancer, to raise funds for the noble cause. Oaks Day is a “Pink Out,” with patrons encouraged to wear pink attire, and special pink cocktails are sold.

A fashion contest and Survivors’ Parade also benefit cancer survivors on Oaks Day.

Known as the Run for the Lillies, the Oaks features an impressive roster of past winners -- champions such as Rachel Alexandra, Untapable, Blind Luck, Proud Spell, Rags to Riches and Ashado have proved successful in the last decade – and a stakes-packed program filled with wagering opportunities await horse players on the undercard.

In 2014, Oaks handle totaled $14.02 million and $43.14 million was wagered on the entire program.

Kentucky Oaks Kentucky Oaks Contenders Kentucky Oaks Odds Kentucky Oaks Handicapping Kentucky Oaks Betting Kentucky Oaks Prep Races Kentucky Oaks Tickets Kentucky Oaks Results Kentucky Oaks Winners Kentucky Oaks History