Bet on The Iowa Oaks
The Iowa Oaks, held at the start of every summer at Prairie Meadows, is the filly counterpart to the Iowa Derby and has held a similar history. The race was originally run at the distance of one mile at the inaugural event in 1986. Then, six years later, it returned as the Heartland Oaks with a slightly longer distance of a mile and a sixteenth. The distance remained the same but the race was rechristened as the Iowa Oaks in 1999.
Six years before the Iowa Derby would be granted graded stakes status, the Iowa Oaks was made a Grade 3 in 2004. Currently, the race offers a purse of $200,000 and has attracted large, quality fields in the recent years. One of the most notable winners was Unbridled Elaine in 2001 – she parlayed her win in the Iowa Oaks into a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Iowa Oaks Betting Odds
In 2015, Sarah Sis delivered by a nose in a thrilling stretch battle as the 5-2 favorite. Though she was a short price, there was Sweetgrass at odds of 9-1 and Sweet Opportunity at 17-1 to round out the superfecta, adding a little bit of value to the exotics. The previous year, Size pulled off an upset win at odds of 13-1 over the favored Ria Antonia. In either scenario, with a favorite or a longshot on top, horseplayers could have gotten more bang for their buck betting through an online racebook like Bovada where there are rebates such as 3% win-or-lose back on all straight wagers and 5% back on exotics.
2016 Iowa Oaks Contenders
The field has been set for the 2016 edition of the Iowa Oaks and the race has drawn some big name trainers and jockeys to Prairie Meadows.
Todd Pletcher will saddle Thrilled, the 5-2 morning line favorite. From the first crop of stallion Uncle Mo who has already added a Kentucky Derby winner to his sire resume in Nyquist, she has been on the board in six of her seven starts and has proven to be a threat on any surface, turf or dirt. She is well-traveled and was last seen finishing third in the Selene Stakes (G3) at Woodbine.
Also in the field at morning line odds of 8-1 is Emmzy, who will try to give trainer Bob Baffert his second victory in this race. She is stepping up to graded stakes company after she broke her maiden last time out in her fifth start. Trainers Steve Asmussen and Jerry Hollendorfer will also be represented by starters in the race, Just Wicked and Kiss N Scat.
Here is the field for the 2016 edition of the Iowa Oaks along with morning line odds.
1. For All the Grands, 20-1
2. Thrilled, 5-2
3. Kiss N Scat, 6-1
4. Marquee Miss, 10-1
5. Bonita Cat, 12-1
6. Ready to Confess, 12-1
7. Alotta Skirt, 10-1
8. Just Wicked, 15-1
9. Emmzy, 8-1
10. Put Da Blame on Me, 12-1
11. Family Tree, 4-1
