Kentucky Oaks Prediction, Betting Picks, and Latest Horse Racing Odds for Friday, May 2nd

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky will be a busy site on Friday, May 2nd during the annual Kentucky Oaks races. The Kentucky Oaks precedes the Kentucky Derby, as it has since the first running in 1875.

This is a Grade 1 stakes race for Thoroughbred fillies that are three years old. All 13 Kentucky Oaks races are ran 1.12 miles on the iconic Churchill Downs dirt race track. The winner is rewarded with a garland of lilies, known as "Lilies for the Fillies."

There are 13 races throughout Friday's Kentucky Oaks horse racing event, starting at 11 a.m. ET. Race 11 is the headliner at 5:51 p.m. ET, which will be the focal point of this betting preview.

Matt MacKay is here with the latest Kentucky Oaks odds, including his prediction and best bet for Race 11 on Friday afternoon. Follow Matt's X account for more analysis and free picks across most major sports betting markets.

Get your first month of oddschecker+ right now for just $0.99. Don't miss out on this Kentucky Derby deal!

Kentucky Oaks Odds Race 11

Click here for complete Kentucky Oaks Odds

Kentucky Oaks Prediction Race 11

The forecast at Churchill Downs could create muddy conditions, with the chance of rain hovering between 20 to 35 percent before, during, and after Race 11. Currently, Good Cheer is the overwhelming favorite at +160 odds, followed by La Cara at +700.

Good Cheer has plenty of reasons to justify this short price as the betting favorite. Led by jockey Luis Saez, Good Cheer enters Kentucky Oaks Race 11 with six consecutive outright wins. Good Cheer has recorded three wins at Churchill Downs, while trainer, Brad Cox, won this event in 2018 and 2020. Ranked second in power rating (78), and third in high speed (78), Good Cheer is an attractive pick as the favorite at +160 odds.

La Cara is +700 to win Race 11 at the Kentucky Oaks this afternoon. Enters with two outright wins across the last three races, while ranked first in power rating (83) and high speed (80). La Cara's biggest hurdle is overcoming the lengthy distance of the Churchill Downs track.

Tenma is another filly that catches my eye at +800 odds. Only one loss in her last six races, despite pedestrian power (71) and high speed (71) ratings. Odds on Tenma have shortened from 12-1 to 8-1.

Staying in this price range at +800, I'll likely sprinkle on Quietside ahead of Race 11. Quietside has won back-to-back Grade 3 and Grade 2 races, while sporting a 76 high speed rating. Set to race from the outside post.

Take Charge Milady at +1300 and Fondly at +2000 are the final two horses I'm targeting for Race 11 at the Kentucky Oaks today. These are quarter unit (0.25) wagers at these long prices.

Take Charge Milady placed second to La Cara at a Grade 1 race last month, while posting a 79 for the second-best high speed rating amongst fillies in Race 11. Notched back-to-back wins before a 10th place finish and runner-up in April.

Fondly is relatively green in terms of experience but it's been a hot start, recording outright wins in both races. Odds remain at 20-1 for Fondly, who is backed by trainer, H.G. Motion. This will be her biggest race yet but confidence is not lacking for anyone on this team.

It's tempting to take the chalk and lay +160 with Good Cheer. However, La Cara tops out the power and high speed metrics, while winning previous Grade 1 races.

+700 is a fantastic value in comparison to Good Cheer. I'm recommending a one-unit wager on La Cara as my best bet for Race 11 at the Kentucky Oaks available at 7-1 odds.

Kentucky Oaks Betting Pick Race 11

• Best Bet: La Cara (+700)

Horse Racing Odds

• Click here for the latest Horse Racing Odds
• Looking for Kentucky Derby Odds? See who the favorite is for tomorrow