Kathleen O Firms in Kentucky Oaks Betting Odds

It’s one of the more intriguing editions in the history of the race and Kentucky Oaks betting odds have narrowed it down to four choices.

Nest, Secret Oath, Echo Zulu and Kathleen O are the only runners bookmakers are giving a chance to win Friday’s feature race at Churchill Downs.

We’re expecting one of the closest finishes to the Grade I race in recent history.

Money Speaks Volumes

Kathleen O has been heavily backed to win the Kentucky Oaks after going four runs without tasting defeat.

The 3-year-old daughter of Upstart comes off a win in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, beating Goddess of Fire and Running Legacy, so we’re not surprised by the betting move.

She is now on the second line of betting at +400 after opening as the third favorite behind Nest and Echo Zulu, but the latter has shifted to +450.

The Claude McGaughey-trained filly isn’t always the best worker, but her trainer was impressed with what she produced at Churchill Downs.

“She’s not a real good work horse, and she worked really good today,” McGaughey said of Kathleen O. “I think she likes this track. Her works at Payson were always just OK; in fact, the one before the Davona Dale was not even OK.

“When I saw her work at Keeneland, the first time we worked her there, more of a solid track, I thought it was the best I’d seen her work all winter and then I think this was every bit as good, if not better.”

Her Kentucky Oaks betting odds have tumbled and market confidence is always worth noting. Kathleen O could firm even more on race day, so bettors should keep an eye on betting markets.

Big Expectations for Echo Zulu

Despite her Kentucky Oaks 2022 odds drifting from +400 to +425 over the last 24 hours, Echo Zulu is a runner worth backing.

The daughter of Gun Runner is unbeaten after five starts and she has been beating quality fields, especially when taking out the Fair Grounds Oaks over Hidden Connection.

Steven Asmussen is always a tough trainer to beat in the big races and he has a genuine Oaks chance with Echo Zulu.

It will be her toughest test but she also won the Breeders’ Cup Futurity when beating Juju’s Map and Tarabi, so the form checks out.

We wouldn’t be having a bet on the Kentucky Oaks without having Echo Zulu in our selections.

A Not So Secret Oath

Connections of Secret Oath have made it clear that they have big targets in sight.

The D. Wayne Lukas-trained filly is being set for the Preakness Stakes if she comes through the Kentucky Oaks well, which is an ambitious target for a filly. However, it shows the confidence they have in the daughter of Arrogate.

She took on the boys when finishing third in the Grade I Arkansas Derby behind Cyberknife and Barber Road, so she already has the form on the board against arguably stronger opposition.

It followed a win in the Grade III Honeybee at Oaklawn Park, so she has to be included in our horse racing betting tips.

Her first three career starts came at Churchill Downs, so she has experience on the track, which bodes well.

We think she has more upside than current +300 favorite Nest, so Secret Oath’s Kentucky Oaks betting odds are more favorable at +425.