LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Joyful Victory, runaway winner of Oaklawn Park’s Honeybee and Fantasy Stakes in her past two starts, is the 5-2 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on Friday.
Carrying a purse of $1 million for the first time, the Oaks drew a field of 13.
Joyful Victory is on the rail with Hall of Famer Mike Smith set to ride for trainer Larry Jones, who won the 2008 Oaks with Proud Spell. The gray filly was fifth at Churchill Downs last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
The rest of the Oaks field, in post-position order: Lilacs and Lace, Summer Soiree, Kathmanblu, Suave Voir Faire, Zazu, Her Smile, Bouquet Booth, Daisy Devine, Street Storm, Holy Heavens, Plum Pretty and St. John’s River.