Edited Press Release
Officials at Churchill Downs Incorporated reported a new handle record for Friday's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks program at Churchill Downs. Despite a threat of widespread scattered thunderstorms, 100,188 spectators gathered under the historic Twin Spires to watch Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas win his fifth Kentucky Oaks.
Wagering from all-sources on the full Kentucky Oaks day race card totaled $74.6 million, up 37% compared to 2021 and up 24% compared to the previous record in 2019. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Oaks itself was $24.3 million up 40% compared to 2021 and up 25% from the previous record in 2019.
“Today we celebrate Secret Oath and her connections,” said Churchill Downs President Mike Anderson. “The 148th Kentucky Oaks will be remembered as a triumphant return to a full-
capacity crowd. We thank the fans, sponsors, horsemen, horseplayers and all participants who contributed to today's record-breaking success.”
CDI continued the tradition of using Kentucky Oaks as a platform to raise money for women's health initiatives, and welcomed breast and ovarian cancer survivors who had waited to walk in the Survivors Parade presented by Kroger. The 148 survivors were joined by charitable partners and volunteers from Norton Healthcare and Kentucky Cancer Program's Horses and Hope, to take an in-person walk on Churchill Downs' newly-installed Turf Course.
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