Gamine draws post five for Kentucky Oaks (G1)

Into Mischief’s  brilliant 3-year-old filly Gamine was made the morning line favorite at even money for the 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1) after the field of nine 3-year-old fillies was drawn Monday for the $1.25 million contest to be run Friday, Sept. 4.

Gamine, a daughter of leading sire Into Mischief and bred by Grace Thoroughbred Holdings, has been outstanding in her four starts, winning the Acorn S. (G1) by an astounding 18 3/4-lengths and the Test S. (G1) by seven. Owned Michael Petersen, Gamine has earned $363,000

“I like (post) five,” Baffert said after the filly drew in the center of the field. “Being in the middle is always good. Right now the most important thing is that she ships well, that she relaxes, gets in there and breaks well. She’s training really well. We still have a few more hurdles, I’m happy with that spot.”

Gamine will be ridden Saturday by John Velazquez, who was aboard for both the Acorn and Test.

“You know, I’ll leave that up to Johnny,” Baffert said when asked about Gamine using her natural speed to get to the lead. “It depends on how she breaks. But she’s really quick. She’s really quick away from there. She’s just fast, she’s really fast.”

The Oaks is race 12 on the Churchill Downs card and is scheduled to run at 5:45 p.m. ET.