2011 Kentucky Oaks Results - Plum Pretty wins for Bob Baffert

2011 Kentucky Oaks Results - Plum Pretty wins for Bob Baffert - Although it will never be confused with the prestige of the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks is essentially regarded as a dress rehearsal for the big race, and never seems to let down the thousands on hand to open up the weekend in style. The 2011 Kentucky Oaks was no different with over 110,000 fans on hand at Churchill Downs to take in the “Dash for the Lillies”, and it was a surprise horse that came out on top to steal the online sports betting show with the first-place finish in Plum Pretty. It was no surprise to trainer Bob Baffert to see the 5-1 horse win, but with some considerable talent in front of it and a late charge from a St. John’s River horse that almost got it at the end.

Joyful Victory was the 2-1 morning Vegas Odds favorite at it hit the post, with both Zazu and Kathmanblu following right behind at 4-1 odds. Plum Pretty was considered a contender but not in the same right as Joyful Victory, although as the race played out it was clear that the pay per head prognosticators had been wrong in their predictions. A horse called Summer Soire took the lead in and through the first turn, with all three of the top horses in terms of odds sitting comfortably around the fifth position as they carefully waited for their opportunity to make their move. All three horses were expected to turn it up a notch down the final stretch and make their move to the front of the pack, but as they made the turn it was Plum Pretty that came out of nowhere and took the lead down the stretch and really opened things up. For a while it looked as though no horse would be able to catch Plum Pretty, and then a late charge from St. John’s River nearly changed the result again with that surge falling just short as the winner prevailed by less than a single length. Once again it was trainer Bob Baffert that had won a race at Churchill Downs, and once again it was horse betting fans at Churchill Downs shaking their heads as one of the most well-known trainers in the business managed to get the job done.

The 2011 Preakness Stakes betting has already began but the attention still hasn’t completely shifted from the surprise finishes at Churchill Downs. Plum Pretty set the tone on the Friday night before a day later Animal Kingdom came out of nowhere to clinch the Kentucky Derby while the race favorite Dialed In finished all the way back in eighth. The hope is that excitement will create a buzz for the upcoming races at Pimlico, as the governing body of the Preakness Stakes continues to debate the idea about changing the race date to bring in more revenue. The Kentucky events have the obvious advantage of being the first big date of the season, and they didn’t disappoint.

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