Notable: McPeek last year became the first trainer to win the Kentucky Oaks (with Thorpedo Anna) and the Kentucky Derby (with Mystik Dan) since Ben Jones in 1952. His horse in this year’s Oaks is the No. 10, Take Charge Milady, who opened at 12-1.

A pre-race tradition is the walkover, when the horses are led from the stables to the paddock where they are saddled for the race. Some are cool and calm, others get fractious and sweaty. They walk on the track along the rail with fans yelling all the way. The riders emerge from the jockeys’ room and walk to the paddock to meet their mounts.