By Josh Cook
The race for the lillies could be as hot as the weather is expected to be for Friday's 136th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
Here is a quick glance at what each of the 14 fillies in the field did on Oaks Eve:
Blind Luck (6-5 odds) - The morning line favorite visited the paddock, galloped 1 1/2 miles Thursday morning and then schooled in the paddock in the afternoon. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who has won two Oaks (1991 & '96) said the filly will walk the shedrow Friday morning.
Amen Hallelujah (8-1) - The filly galloped once around the track Thursday morning and trainer Rick Dutow indicated that Friday she'll go for a short breeze through the homestretch - something he also big with Big Brown before his 2008 Preakness victory.
Crisp (8-1) - The Santa Anita Oaks winner galloped 1 1/2 miles a little after 6 a.m. Trainer John Sadler said the filly would return to the track for a 1-mile jog Friday morning.
"She's tough," trainer John Sadler said. "But I think all three California fillies in the race (Blind Luck, Crisp and Evening Jewel) could run well."
Tidal Pool (8-1) - D. Wayne Lukas' filly jogged 1 5/8 miles Thursday morning.
Evening Jewel (10-1) - The Ashland Stakes winner galloped 1 3/4 miles in the morning before schooling during the second race of the day.
"She was the only speed in the Ashland," trainer Jim Cassidy said. "I don't want her fresh on the front end Friday."
Quiet Temper (10-1) - The Fair Grounds Oaks winner galloped 1 1/2 miles. She'll be ridden Friday by local jockey Robby Albarado, who has guided Quiet Temper to all three of her victories.
Aialea (15-1) - Todd Pletcher's horse covered 1 5/16 miles Thursday morning.
Beautician (15-1) - The filly galloped 1 3/4 miles Thursday morning.
"I'm really excited about Alex Solis being on her for the Oaks," trainer Ken McPeek said. "Solis has had a great touch with fillies his entire career, and he's won three stakes on fillies for me recently. I think he can move Beautician up a notch, and that's all she needs."
It's Tea Time (15-1) - The filly finished her Oaks prep by galloping 1 1/2 miles Thursday morning.
"She'll walk in the morning," trainer Rusty Arnold said. "She's done. She schooled in the paddock yesterday was excellent, even though it will be totally different Friday."
It's Tea Time, the lone Oaks starter who didn't race as a 2-year-old, will start from the difficult No. 1 post position.
Age of Humor (30-1) - The filly schooled in the gate and galloped 1 1/4 miles Thursday morning.
Bella Diamante (30-1) - The filly jogged Thursday morning.
"She's as good as she can get," trainer Allen Milligan said. "This is the best she's ever gone into a race for us."
Champagne d'Oro (30-1) - The filly, who was a strong second to Quiet Temper in the Fair Ground Oaks, worked at 5:45 a.m. Thursday morning, jogging 1 mile and galloping another.
Joanie's Catch (30-1) - The filly, who has finished in the money in 16 of her 18 career starts, galloped 1 1/2 miles Thursday morning.
Jody Slew (30-1) - She worked 1 1/4 miles Thursday morning.
BEST BET: Blind Luck with any horse in an exacta.
BEST MID-LEVEL LONG-SHOT: It's Tea Time.
BEST LONG, LONG-SHOT: Champagne d'Oro.
