[imagesource: Benoit Photo]

The biggest weekend of racing in the U.S. is quickly approaching, as gamblers continue to check the latest Kentucky Derby betting odds. However, the weekend isn’t all about the opening race of the Triple Crown season, as the fillies will also be in competition as the 2022 edition of the Kentucky Oaks is run the day before.

The Oaks offers a huge purse of $1.25 million and has been won by some legendary horses throughout its history, including recent winners such as Malathaat, Shedaresthedevil, and Monomoy Girl. But, which horses could follow in their footsteps in 2022?

Echo Zulu

There is little doubt that Echo Zulu looks to be one of the most exciting horses in training for Steven Asmussen. The trainer last won this race in 2014 with Untapable, and Echo Zulu looks an outstanding chance of adding another success after opting to bypass the Triple Crown races. The three-year-old boasts a perfect record, having won on all four career starts.

She has landed three Grade 1s, ranging from distances of seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. Her win in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November was sensational, as Juju’s Map and Tarabi were always looking to finish second. Excitement levels are high ahead of her return in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks.

Secret Oath

Secret Oath is one of the buzz horses in the U.S. at present, as gamblers are trying to work out where she may land. There has already been talk that a run in the Triple Crown races may be on the agenda, but the D. Wayne Lukas-trained horse remains among the front runners for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

The three-year-old has won on all three starts since finishing fifth in the G2 Golden Rod last year, with all victories coming at Oaklawn Park. Her latest victory certainly got racing fans purring, as she looked far too strong for Ice Orchid and Yuugiri in the G3 Honeybee over 1 1/16 miles. If she does head to the Oaks, then she will be an extremely prominent selection.

Nest 

Todd Pletcher unleashed Malathaat on the field in the Oaks 12 months ago, and he has another outstanding chance this year with Nest. The trainer will be looking for a fourth win in the race this year, and Nest certainly looks to be at a decent price for success this year. The three-year-old has won three of her four career starts, with her only defeat coming over a mile at Belmont when finishing third behind Gerrymander.

She returned with great success in the G2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct in December, before making her first start as a three-year-old in February when picking up a victory at Tampa Bay Downs in the Suncoast Stakes. She appears to be improving with every run, but it will be interesting to see how she competes in Grade 1 company when lining up in the Ashland in April.

 Kathleen O

This year, an interesting betting angle for the Oaks could be Kathleen O for the Winngate Stables. This filly is trained by Claude McGaughey III, who is yet to land a winning the Grade 1 at Churchill Downs. However, there is a lot to like about Kathleen O. She is unbeaten in three career starts, and has landed wins in back-to-back stakes races on her last two starts; both as a three-year-old. She won the Cash Run over a mile at Gulfstream Park in January as she blew away the opposition, which included Mi Negrita.

Last time out, she showed a different kind of performance, as she rallied late in the day to reach the line first in the G2 Davona Dale. That run was also over a mile, which means questions remain whether she will be able to perform over a longer distance. However, connections certainly believe that she has a very good chance in the Oaks.