Handicapping the Kentucky Oaks, Kentucky Derby Double

One of the most exciting bets you can make each year is the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby double. It’s a simple, fun way to cash in big by picking the winners of each featured graded stakes race. Even if things get chalky, the fields are so deep it can still be a profitable wager.

This year our friends at NYRA Bets are offering a free $25 wager and up to a $200 deposit match by using the promo code “KSR25.” Let’s use that free $25 wager to go deep with a $24 ticket on the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Double.

Kentucky Oaks Picks

Wet Paint (5/2) — Brad Cox has won the Kentucky Oaks twice and this year’s morning line favorite has the chops to do it. A winner of three straight races, including back-to-back Grade III Stakes, you can’t throw out this filly with Flavien Prat receiving the mount.

Botanical (4-1) — I actually like Brad Cox’s other entry even more. There’s a little more value with a 4-1 morning line for a filly that’s won her lost four starts. In each of those races she’s gotten faster and pulled away from her competition by wide margins down the stretch. Botanical is in the double and also getting a win bet.

Affirmative Lady (10-1) — A suggestion from the Voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach, conservative trainer Graham Motion has never hesitated to race her against top competition, entering graded stakes before breaking her maiden. She closed hard in the Gulfstream Park Oaks, potentially providing a preview of what’s to come Friday.

Flying Connection (15-1) — A winner in four of her last five starts, this filly is peaking at the right time. She posted an impressive 96 speed figure in her last race and has a hot jockey aboard with Florent Geroux. It’s a steep move up in class for Flying Connection, albeit one that could break the tote board in the Kentucky Oaks.

Kentucky Derby

Forte (3-1) — Trying to beat the favorite sounds appealing, but it’s a fool’s errand. You can’t throw out the 2-year-old champ that just keeps on winning.

Tapit Trice (5-1) — A beautiful horse, Todd Pletcher’s other impressive entry showed some versatility by making multiple moves against a talented field in the Blue Grass Stakes. Tapit Trice is bred for the distance and can close strong down the stretch.

Angel of Empire (8-1) — The Arkansas Derby victory might be the most impressive of all the prep races. He came wide around the field and posted a 101 speed figure while running away from the competition for a 4-length lead. Horses that make big moves to finish strong as the kind of horses that win the Kentucky Derby.

Two Phil’s — This horse has the highest speed rating of any one in the field from its last race. Two Phil’s consistently finishes in the money, if he can build off the Jeff Ruby’s Steaks win, you could be popping champagne on Saturday.

Verifying (15-1) — Forte is the only other Kentucky Derby horse that also ran in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. I don’t love the inside draw, or the fact that he got caught by Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass Stakes, but Brad Cox has a lot of confidence in this horse, comparing him to Mandaloun. You can’t let that confidence go untapped for a potential big payday.

Disarm (30-1) — This long shot was a buzz horse on the backside at Churchill Downs following a few impressive workouts. He hasn’t won in almost a year, but has continually improved during each start. The time might be right for Steve Asmussen to finally get that coveted Kentucky Derby victory.