The most popular horse race in the world, the Kentucky Derby, will be held Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
But another race this weekend, the Kentucky Oaks, also will be viewed by more than 100,000 fans at the famed race track.
“The Kentucky Oaks is the Kentucky Derby for fillies,” said Oak Grove resident Ike Thrash who, along with his wife, Dawn, and 19 other family members will be in Louisville watching their own racehorse, Kelly’s Humor, run in the Kentucky Oaks at 5:12 p.m. Friday.
“It’s the biggest race for fillies.”
More specifically, it is a Grade I stakes race for the Top 14 3-year-old Thoroughbred fillies that have earned enough points to qualify. It is a $1 million race, with the winner getting $600,000.
“Win this, and you’re a star,” Thrash said.
Of course, qualifying and winning are two different things. And Kelly’s Humor, which has won $124,910 in her career, is a 30-1 long shot.
But that’s OK, Thrash said.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Thrash said. “If you don’t show up, you can’t win it.”
Last weekend, Kelly’s Humor ranked 18th in points. But when a few other horses got sick or were pulled from the race, Kelly’s Humor got her chance and officially entered the race on Monday.
The dark bay horse’s career is similar to her races. She starts out slow, then turns it on.
Kelly’s Humor, who turned 3 this past Saturday, sat out most of her 2-year-old season with a minor injury before winning the Ellis Park Debutante in August. After that, she finished second in the Grade II Pocahontas States, fifth in the Grade I Alcibiades and 10th in the Grade II Golden Rod Stakes.
“We put blinkers on her, we tried to shove her to the front, several things, and it didn’t work out,” Thrash said.
Then came the Grade II Beaumont Stakes on April 8.
“She was dead last turning for home,” Thrash said. “Then she came flying past everybody and finished second.”
By now, Thrash and trainer Brad Cox think they have figured out Kelly’s Humor.
“She has no (starting) speed at all,” Thrash said. “She’s fast, but only at the end of a race. She has her own style.”
In 2007, Thrash horse Dawn After Dawn ran in the Kentucky Oaks and finished fourth.
In 2010, the Thrashes’ Line of David, which won the Arkansas Derby, ran in the Kentucky Derby but rain and a muddy race course sealed its fate as it finished 18th.
Thrash thinks Kelly’s Humor can handle the mud better. And guess what the weather forecast is.
“It’s going to rain,” he said.
Irad Ortiz Jr., will be the jockey for Kelly’s Humor. The 25-year-old has won more than $6.5 million in his career.
All in all, it’s already been a good year for Kelly’s Humor.
“There are 11,000 fillies born every year,” Thrash said. “And only 14 get to the Oaks.”
Kentucky Oaks post positions
1. Sassy Sienna
2. Coach Rocks
3. Classy Act
4. Chocolate Martini
5. Wonder Gadot
6. Kelly’s Humor
7. Rayya
8. Heavenhasmynikki
9. Take Charge Paula
10. Midnight Bisou
11. My Miss Lilly
12. Patrona Margarita
13. Eskimo Kisses
14. Monomoy Girl
