An announced record crowd of 124,589 took in the action on Friday's Kentucky Oaks program, a slight increase over the previous record of 123,763 set just last year. All-sources wagering from the Oaks program was a record $49 million, an increase of 6.3% over the $46.1 million wagered in 2015. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Oaks of $15.0 million was 1.3% down from 2015's record- setting $15.2 million. On-track wagering on the entire program remained flat at $12 million, while $3 million was bet on the Oaks itself on site, a decrease of 3.2 from last year.
“Congratulations to the connections of Cathryn Sophia and special thanks to all of the horse owners, trainers and jockeys who participated on today's card,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The record numbers today show that the Kentucky Oaks continues to grow and proves that it has established itself as one of the world's most popular events. The fans loved our most recent investments in the facility which focused on improving the customer experience.”
Churchill Downs also held its eighth annual “Pink Out” in support of a couple of cancer-related charities: Bright Pink and Horses and Hope. The Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation donated $50,000 and helped raise an additional $28,294 through on-line donations to benefit Bright Pink®, a national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.
Churchill Downs also donated $30,000 and $1 from each Friday sale of the Grey Goose Oaks Lily®, the official drink of the Kentucky Oaks, to Horses & Hope, a breast cancer outreach program in Kentucky's horse industry.
The Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade Presented by Kroger celebrated 142 cancer survivors who marched down Churchill Downs' historic homestretch immediately prior to the running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks. Model and actress, Kate Upton, served as the “First Lady of the Oaks” to help raise national awareness of breast and ovarian health and honor survivors.
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