No Voodoo with Echo Zulu in Kentucky Oaks

The Kentucky Oaks is always a competitive affair and there are some stellar entrants in the 2022 edition.

Heading the Kentucky Oaks betting market is Nest, but on her back is unbeaten star Echo Zulu.

Four runners are quoted at +450 or lower, so it’s a hotly contest betting affair for Friday’s feature.

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and Kentucky Derby odds for Kentucky Derby 2022. We’ve plenty of Kentucky Derby betting predictions for you to consider.

Echo To Be Heard Loudly

Bettors always love getting behind an unbeaten runner and Echo Zulu is a filly worth following.

The Steve Asmussen-trained filly has yet to taste defeat from five starts and has already won at Grade I level in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Frizette Stakes and Spinaway Stakes.

The daughter of Gun Runner backed it up with a win in the Fair Grounds Oaks over Hidden Connection, so the form reads well and her work throughout the week has been effortless.

“I thought she won the Fair Grounds Oaks on natural ability and class,” Asmussen told Blood Horse.”She has trained for the Oaks and put in solid training, and then a huge move last Sunday. I just felt we’re there (in terms of training). She went for a typical easy half-mile. We want her razor-sharp and as fleet as she can be come Friday.”

We rate her form the best in the Kentucky Oaks, so we’re happy with the +350 odds available at the sportsbook.

Pick: Echo Zulu +350

Nest Ready To Hatch

There has been significant betting online support for Nest, who has had an easier preparation than Echo Zulu.

The 3-year-old filly by Curlin won the Grade I Ashland Stakes over Cocktail Moments, so it wasn’t an overly impressive win. However, it was her third consecutive win and she is a progressive type.

She owns four wins from five starts, with her only defeat coming in the Tempted Stakes at Belmont where she placed.

We’re not sure if her form warrants the +300 price, but she must be including in Kentucky Oaks picks.

Kathleen O Rated To Win

Kathleen O is another unbeaten Kentucky Oaks runner who has been respected by betting markets.

The daughter of Upstart started her career with a maiden win at Aqueduct before taking out the Cash Run at Gulfsteam Park. Her winning form continued with wins in the Grade II Davona Dale and Gulfstream Park Oaks.

The Gulfstream Park Oaks isn’t always the best form guide for the main event on Friday, but she’s an emerging type with betting support.

Bookmakers have her on the third line of betting at +425, so she has created interest. However, if we’re going to follow one of the unbeaten runners, we put Echo Zulu slightly ahead.

Secret Oath Could Blouse Them All

We thought Secret Oath would be a fraction shorter with betting markets following a tremendous run against the boys in the Arkansas Derby.

The D. Wayne Lukas-trained daughter of Arrogate had won three consecutive races prior, all coming at Oaklawn Park.

She hasn’t faced the strongest fields, but she broke maidens at Churchill Downs, and having experience on the track is ideal.

Connections are considering a run in the Preakness Stakes, which makes for interesting reading.

“We were running in the Arkansas Derby because the race was [worth] $1.25 million. That in itself was the incentive,” Lukas said. “If she had won the Arkansas Derby, we’d have not run in the Kentucky Derby. We were pretty adamant that we were going to run in the [Kentucky] Oaks and have the best filly in the country.”

Bettors should include Secret Oath in all selections. She’s a quality filly with bigger targets in sight.

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