Vibing With Sleezy: The Podcast 2026 Ky Oaks and Ky Derby Race Episode

Hey, what's up everybody? Welcome to Bibin' with Sleazy the podcast. This is season seven, episode 19. I want to thank everybody for listening, tuning in, and downloading. It's been a great season so far. I've had amazing guests, uh incredible people on, and I've also done some amazing solo episodes. It's been a lot of fun and getting towards the end here of season seven. So there's 19 here, and then two more episodes, and I'm done for the year. I'll be bringing back season eight in 2027. Uh gives everybody time to catch up, and I just really appreciate everybody uh listening, supporting, and showing love. This on episode 19, the topic will be the Kentucky Oaks race and the Kentucky Derby race. Um, the Derby is almost here. It's the first Saturday in May, and Oaks is right before it. Um Churchill Downs will be packed. Uh, they've had the all the festivities here in April leading up to the event. So everybody's very excited in town, and uh, I'm very pumped to talk about Oaks and talk about Derby. So, overall, with the uh Kentucky Oaks race, I want to start off by giving the horses the post positions. So, number one, Explora is a six to one shot, and again, these were all released on uh April 24th. So uh again, odds can change, uh, but and there could be scratches uh to the race if for any reason, but this is how officially it's been announced. So number one, explora, six to one, zany, number two, four to one, number three, search party, thirty to one, number four, counting stars, eight to one. Number five, meaning, five to one, number six, my miss Mo, twenty to one, number seven, Dazzling Dane, thirty to one, number eight, bottle of rogue, fifteen to one, number nine, always a runner, ten to one, number ten, prom Queen, eight to one, number eleven, Percy's Bar, six to one, number twelve, Bella Ballerina, twelve to one. Number thirteen, Pashmina, and number fourteen, Brooklyn Bond Bond, excuse me, at thirty to one. So those are your fourteen horses for the 152 running of the Kentucky Oaks. So let me uh first by kind of start by giving you the origin history of the Kentucky Oaks race. I've done Oaks and Derby race coverage on the podcast before, but I believe this will break down and kind of give you the history of what the Oaks race is. So the Kentucky Oaks is one of the oldest and most important horse races in the United States, with a history that closely parallels the Kentucky Derby. Here's a clear chronological look at how it developed. The Origins, 1875. The race was first run on May 19, 1875 at what is now Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the same man behind the Kentucky Derby. The Oaks was modeled after England's Epson Oaks, a prestigious race for three-year-old Phillies. The very first winner was a Philly named Venegarette, who won a one and a half mile race and earned$1,175, which that was a lot of money back then. The early development, late 1800s to early 1900s, it was originally run at one and a half miles. The race did since changed several times. Late 1800s, it shortened to one and one quarter miles, and in early 1900s, it adjusted to one and one sixteenth miles. These changes reflected evolving standards in American horse racing. The modern format, which is you know from the 20th century to present day, since 1982 the race has been run at one and one-eighth miles, which remains the current distance. It is restricted to three-year-old Phillies, making it the premier race for female thoroughbreds in that age group. The Oaks is traditionally held the day before the Kentucky Derby, forming part of Derby Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Traditions and cultural significance of the race, the race is nicknamed the Lilies for the Phillies because the winner receives a garland of lilies. It has become known for its pink theme, promoting breast and ovarian cancer awareness, and attendance has grown dramatically. There was over 50,000 people in 1980 at the Oaks race, and over 100,000 people annually since the early 2000s. And it seems like it keeps growing and growing and growing. And especially in Louisville, Kentucky, where people get off from their jobs, uh, off from school teachers, you know, they get off. And then, you know, Churchill Downs has tried to have local days for locals to go out there uh in that upcoming week leading up to Derby. However, though, the Oaks race is still very, very popular. It's one of the most attended horse races in North America, second only to a few triple crown events. A roll-in racing, the Kentucky Oaks is considered the female counterpart to the Kentucky Derby. It's part of a broader system of prep races known as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, which determines which Phillies qualify. Recent developments, the race has continued under interrupted since 1875, except for scheduling changes. 2020, it was moved to September due to COVID. And beginning in 2026, it's scheduled for primetime television for the first time. Now, this is very controversial. NBC has the rights for Oaks. It's actually going to affect a lot of restaurants, it's going to affect a lot of events in town. Um, it's not getting a lot of love from locals here. So I'm from Louisville, Kentucky. I'm recording out of Louisville, Kentucky. So it's going to be interesting to see how many people are actually still in attendance at the track for the Oaks race. Um, but it will be on NBC this year at a very late night showing. And along with the Kentucky Derby, the Oaks is one of the oldest continuously run sporting events in the United States. It has evolved from regional race into major national event with huge crowds, high purses, and cultural traditions. And overall, if you want, you know, you you can look up the Kentucky Oaks history for yourself. But however, from Louisville, Kentucky, Oaks is always very big because it's something that locals like to go out to see. Uh, they have special Oaks uh glasses that everybody gets to um you know buy leading up to the event, and so it's a very, very uh special, special race here for all locals and everybody in town. So there's a very realistic uh you know current field buzz and just a lot of hype about the Oaks this year. Um, a lot of people now that it is getting that primetime coverage, are you're getting a lot of feedback and information from horse racing experts. Um so overall, Zany is the early morning line favorite, four to one, after the draw of all the horses in the post positions that I went over. Meaning uh is consistently mentioned as a top threat in the race. Counting stars is another strong contender that has very good form. Dazzling Dame is a logical top-tier filly, and Paradise is a prep race standout with tactical speed and very high upside. Um, my prediction overall win place and show, I'm going with Zainy. I think Zainy is just a better horse overall throughout the whole Oaks, and I believe it's a it's like the deserved favorite, and you know, the top connections and everything. It has an ideal post spot. Um, it's really got great speed and class, and overall, um, I just believe that it can win first. Um, Meaning is who I think is going to come in second place. Um, it should get a good stocking trip and finish very strongly in the race. And then my third overall pick is Paradise. Um, I think it could outrun the odds if the pace setup is right. Its tactical speed makes it very, very dangerous if it gets loose early. So Paradise could even make a high upset in this race. But my tri-effecta picks, Zainy meaning paradise. And if you're looking to put one, you know, some money down on just one to win the overall race, I'm going with Zainy. Um, a very big sleeper and long shot in the race is going to be counting stars. Um, it just could get up there in that mix. It's one that's a that's a long shot, it's a sleeper pick, but it could it could pop up there. Um how the race likely will unfold is that you know it'll be a very early pace, I think, possibly set by speeds with types like that horse paradise doing it. But zany and meaningful, they should just they should sit just off the lead. I mean, they zany should get up there and really, really uh get the win. And the race will probably be decided in that final one-eighth mile, and that's where this you know race usually does get settled and win. So overall, I got Zany. Uh, and again, I'm going to go back there and tell you my three. So Zany Meaning and Paradise. So again, those three horses, they're gonna make um big time effects in the race. And overall, you know, this race has had big time upsets. Uh, you know, Lemons Forever is one that won at 47 to 1. So, you know, don't count out any of these horses, but that's how I think the Kentucky Oaks race will play out. So, let's move on to the big race, the the biggest race in the entire horse racing business, the Kentucky Derby. It is the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. Um, there's 20 horses overall, and these are the post positions. Uh Renegade, number one at four to one, number two, Albus at 30 to 1. Number three, Intrepido, 50 to 1. Number 4, Litmus Test, 30 to 1. Number 5, Right to Party, 30 to 1. Number 6, Commandment, 6 to 1. Number 7, Dan and Bourbon, 20 to 1. Number 8, So Happy, Number 9, The Puma. Number 10, Wonder Dean, 30 to 1. Number 11, Incredible, 20 to 1. Number 12, Sheath Wallaby, 8 to 1. Number 13, Silent Tactic, 20 to 1. Number 14, Potente, 20 to 1. Number 15, Emerging Market, 15 to 1. Number 16, Pavilovian, 30 to 1. Number 17, 6 Speed, 50 to 1. Number 18, Further Auto, 6 to 1. Number 19, Golden Tempo, 30 to 1. And number 20, Fullerford, 20 to 1. So those are your 20 horses and the post positions. And like I said earlier, things could be scratched, uh, horses can be removed, but overall, those are your 20 horses and their pose positions of how they'll come out the gate. So, to give you a little bit of history of the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Derby is one of the most famous horse races in the world, often called the Run for the Roses. Its history goes back over 150 years, and it's deeply tied to American culture. The origins in the 1870s, the Derby was founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of explorer William Clark. After traveling through Europe and attending prestigious races like England's Epson Derby, Clark wanted to create a similar event in the United States. He established the race in 1875 at what is now Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The first derby was held on May 17, 1875, with 15 horses competing. The winner was Aristus and ridden by Jockey Oliver Lewis, who was an African American, which is super historic and super cool. Growth in traditions, in its early years, the derby was modeled after European racing traditions, but it gradually developed its own unique identity. Some iconic elements emerged. The Garland of Roses was introduced in 1896, giving the race its nickname. My old Kentucky Home, which has sung before the race since 1921, has become a beloved tradition out there. Mint julep is a signature drink associated with the event, and that is big time here in Louisville. Derby glasses are huge. People collect them. They've been going back for years. They're hand painted, they're very nice. Um, they have been uh made. I have tons of them. I've been collecting them every year. I always get my Oaks glass and always get my Derby glass. They sell them at liquor stores and uh Kroger and in several places around town leading up to it. So even if you don't go to the event, you can grab them. And then out there at the track, Wood for Reserve usually makes these really nice gold copper cups, and they're great too for uh you know collecting and for your alcoholic drinks. Uh changes over time. Um you know, originally run at one and a half miles, it was shortened in 1896 to its current distance of one and one-fourth miles. You know, by the early 20th century, the derby had become a major social and sporting event in the U.S., attracting large crowds, national attention, and celebrities. The eligibility, the race is limited to three-year-old thoroughbred horses. The triple crown is the basically the derby is the first leg of the triple crown, followed by the preakness stakes and then the Belmont stakes. So after the Derby, that horse will go to Baltimore to run the Preakness Stakes and then Belmont, New York to do the Belmont Stakes. And uh we've had triple crowns, and you know, one that I've got to witness was American Pharaoh, which was an amazing year. Historic moments. Secretary in 1973 set the still standing derby record of 159.40. Uh that was super fast and very historic. Secretary was a horse that everybody loved and everybody uh wanted to see. I remember my dad got to go out to that derby, and again, that was in 1973. Citation American Pharaoh are among the legendary winners who have gone on to win the triple crown. In 1915, Regret became the first Philly, a female horse to win. In 2019, Maximum Security was famously disqualified, the first winner ever to lose the title due to race infraction. I remember that. I was at a derby party at Eric Bush's house, and it was crazy. They kept replaying, they kept doing things, and that became a big controversial derby. Today, the Kentucky Derby is held annually on the first Saturday in May, and it's the longest continuous run sporting event in the United States. It draws over 150,000 spectators and a million of viewers worldwide. And again, this will be broadcast on NBC, and the Derby is always a big televised event. And in Louisville, everyone does derby parties where you get to bet on the other races leading up to Derby. Um, you know, we they sell programs in town, so even if you're not at the track, you can stay locked in. They even broadcast the races uh there on NBC and even on um some of the horse racing networks. But the derby, everybody will have all eyes on it. Um, beyond the race, it has become a major culture event known for extravagant hats, celebrities, and celebration of southern tradition hospitality. If you want, you know, look up the history of the derby. Um, you can see all the horses that have won. If you get to go out to Churchill Downs, definitely just check out the history. They have all the winners posted around, um, and even the ones that have won the Triple Crown, especially marked. I actually have done the Antiques Road Show at Churchill Downs, which was a blast when that was there. They've done a lot of remodeling and a lot of building. It almost gives you like old Roman Coliseum vibes. I wish that they didn't do so much crazy stuff because the history, you know, I hopefully they'll never take down the uh, you know, the the the towers there, you know, the um what what do you call those? Uh let me see, at the Churchill Downs, they got the Twin Spires. I I again I I correct me. I'm sorry about that. Uh correcting myself, but yeah, as the Twin Spires, they're very historic. I've actually gotten a couple great shots. I was just going blank there for a minute. I'm sorry, I went blank. But yeah, the twin spires, you can see them off Central Avenue, you can see them at Churchill Downs, and they always change the year. There's a green sign in front of the Twin Spires, and so I just hope they never take those down or ruin that history, and hopefully they won't. But you know, when you go explore out there, uh, you know, if you go on a day when there's actually not races like the Derby or Oaks going on, you can go to like the spring meet or fall meet and you can really explore. It's very interesting and fascinating because places are empty, and you get that you know vibe of like, ooh, this is kind of spooky, but also historic. And there's ghosts that have haunted that. I've actually done a uh haunted ghost tour out there that was a part of the Derby Museum, so that was really cool learning all the history and learning about the ghosts. There's been uh a lot of things that have happened out there at that track in over 150 years, and when you're out there, you can just sense the history. And um, you know, I've spent many, many times at Churchill Downs, and uh, like I said, I've gotten great shots of the uh twin spires. I've got to walk on the track. Uh, when I worked for Budweiser, I was very blessed to be out there the night before the events, uh, Oaks and Derby. And I actually walked the whole track, I walked past the finish line, and not a lot of people get to do that, even locals. So that is a big thing that I'll cherish, and I'm very, very excited and blessed that I was able to do that. But overall, I want to go over uh, you know, the 2026 Kentucky Derby with my predictions. So the top contenders, renegade is the favorite with the morning odds of four to one. Trainer Todd Pletcher is uh, you know, a very famous trainer. He has trained that horse. And overall, uh that horse has won the Arkansas Derby, which is a very tough race to win, and also won the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Uh, it's very consistent, has very tactical speed. Um, the only concern it's post-one, which can be very tricky in a 20-horse field. But bottom line, it's your safest pick, and that's who I would put all money in on if you really want to put a lot of money on it, just a focused winner. Um, further ado, uh, odds five to one is a huge buzz horse. People love him because he won the bluegrass stakes by 11 lengths. Uh posted a top-tier speed figure, uh 106 buyer, which is huge, and the huge performance can be hard to repeat. Bottom line, highest upside in the field could win big or regress. Commandment, odd six to one on a four-race wren streak, so it's definitely been winning a lot of races. Wins include Fountain of Youth, the Florida Derby, which is a very competitive race. Bottom line, very consistent, is a strong, exact to try effective anchor. Second tier, very live challengers, I would say, like people that uh horses that could make, I say people, but horses that could end up making that uh mix. Um, you know, and shout out to the jockeys, but the horses are the one running the race. Uh, it's you know, emerging market, undefeated, dominated the Louisiana Derby, and it's very dangerous if this horse keeps improving. There's gonna be tons of training, tons of practice for these horses leading up to the race, so that can be big time. The Puma, which is my favorite name of all the Derby horses, and at 10 to 1, I'll probably put money on that because it'll pay some good money. Frequently shows up in experts top to 3-5 list. I think it could get there in that top three, but it's very solid and and uh, but it has not delivered a knockout performance yet. Pavilonian, silent tactic, chief wallaby. They're they're in the mix, um, but Chief Wallaby has had some weaker finishes here recently. Long shots worth watching, full of fort. Uh, you know, won the Jeff Ruby Stakes uh race, and some analysts, you know, they see some sneaky value there. Other ones, Albus and Trepito, you know, they'll really need some chaos to win. I don't know if they will, you know, be in that that even top five, but again, they can make an upset and win. But overall, my realistic prediction if I had to pick a triaffecta, I'm going further idle, renegade, commandment. That's how I think it's gonna play out. Yeah, I would love to see the Puma win it all because that's just an epic name. But this is how I think the Derby will play out further idol, renegade commandment. And then Fullafort, if you really want to. Put some money on a horse and try to get a long shot to win and get a big payout, that might be one to uh to play. So key race dynamics to watch. It's gonna be a very fast race. Uh, and if the pace is very fast, further ado is gonna take over. Um, traffic trip, huge factor with 20 horses. So, you know, it all depends on where your post position's at. Some people get a post position, and even if the horse is great, you're kind of fucked with that post position. So hopefully that doesn't affect any of these horses. Um, you know, riding the rail renegade can really be risky and can really go hard. So um, you know, Calvin Bowrail, that that's what everybody's nickname was for him, Bow Rail. But Calvin Burrell, who's won uh races, a very, very historic famous jockey, Hall of Fame jockey. You know, if he was riding him, it it would probably win the whole derby. And then, you know, late night workouts are gonna shift the odds right before race day. So just remember that when you're looking at the odds. And again, I announce all the post position, but those odds can change. I'm gonna release this episode on Oaks morning. That way you can listen and get your Oaks picks in. You can know the horses, and you can kind of know a little bit of the history of the Oaks race for going out there. Same thing. Uh you'll be a day ahead for the derby, and you'll get the history of the derby and the post position of the horses, and then my picks overall. Um, there's no dominant horse this year. That is the that's the biggest thing. Um, unusually high is the favorite, you know. Uh, their odds four to one. That's not that doesn't usually happen. Usually there's a two to one horse, so that means anybody can win. Um, multiple trainers, Pletcher, Cox, Brown, have very strong entries this year, but the upset potential is very, very real. So this is gonna be a chaos-friendly derby. Great for betting, but harder to predict overall. So, you know, overall again, further outo, uh, you know, spelled ADO, that that has the best ceiling. I think it's just who's gonna win, and then you know, renegade will come in there second, and then commandment. But again, I don't really can give you a definite pick because it's just anybody can win. But I just think further I do that that's gonna be who will win it. Even though Renegade's the favorite, I just like how they've won the bluegrass stakes, and then that speed figure is huge. I mean, that is top-tier speed, and at five to one, that could really be a huge payout. And then, you know, commandment will be there in that mix. So, you know, you might want to this year if you're putting bets in on the derby, box everything, you know, exacta boxes, triaffecta boxes, but pick your horse, put all the money on it, and see what can happen. Because if you pick the big winner, you could have a huge payout. And what's great about um, you know, Oaks and Derby, you can bet on your phone, so you can bet where legal betting can happen. So you don't even have to be in the state of Kentucky to bet, but it's always fun to put in bets at derby parties that can beat against your friends and even strangers and just uh see how you can play out. But I hope everybody has had a great Kentucky Derby Festival if they are a local. And if not, uh if you're outside of the state of Kentucky, tune into Oaks, tune into Derby. It's gonna be two great races. You don't even have to watch all the other races, but you can focus on them, especially with that primetime NBC coverage. Thank you. I want to thank everybody, excuse me, for listening. And uh, you know, Bibinwithsleasy.com is the website, BibleSleasy, the podcast, Facebook, Instagram. Always love doing these episodes, especially Oaks and Derby, to get everybody ready. And you know, it's the perfect time with season seven wrapping up. It's right there before Derby. So this was a great episode to do. And I wanted to, you know, tie in a little history. When I've done these episodes before, I've kind of just been focused on the race and focused on my prediction and the horses, but I wanted to give a little history on what the Oaks in Derby is and why it's so important that it happens and it's important for the city of Louisville. But thank you all for listening. Uh, only two more episodes to go, and I love you all. I love the support. Peace.