Abel Tasman wins the 2017 Kentucky Oaks

Abel Tasman used a late charge down the final stretch to pass frontrunners Paradise Woods and Miss Sky Warrior to win the 2017 Kentucky Oaks on Friday. Down the stretch, it was Abel Tasman, Lockdown, and Vexatious making a sudden sprint, but the former horse made it through to get the win and the $600,000 prize.

From the start, Paradise Woods was out at the front with Miss Sky Warrior taking the first turn. Farrell was in third after the first turn, as well. Miss Sky Warrior stuck right with Paradise Woods nearing the half-mile pole.

Miss Sky Warrior took the lead down the stretch, but it’s Abel Tasman and Lockdown who charged the biggest, passing the frontrunners. In the last seconds, Abel Tasman separated from Lockdown and Vexatious, all of whom broke the pace of Miss Sky Warrior and Paradise Woods.

Going into the race, Paradise Woods was the clear favorite, coming off a dominant run in the Santa Anita Oaks where she won by more than 11 lengths. She had odds of 6/5 just prior to the start o the race, and Farrell wound up as the second favorite at 5-1. Horses such as Miss Sky Warrior and Salty were expected to give her the stiffest competition.

You can find results from the other races on Kentucky Oaks Day, including the La Troienne and the Alysheba, right here. The Alysheba had the second-biggest purse of the day and is a Grade 2 stakes race.

It’s been a race-filled day at Churchill Downs on Friday, but things are only getting started. Everything that’s happened in the world of horse racing this year has been building up to the Kentucky Derby, set to be held on Saturday. The post time for the Derby itself is set for 6:46 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC in the United States.