Kentucky Oaks 2023 live updates: Who won, odds, highlights and more

The Run for the Roses is still a day away. But Friday in Louisville, we'll see which filly takes home the garland of lilies.

The Kentucky Oaks is back, with crowds set to pack Churchill Downs for a day of races. Post time for the main event, a 1⅛-mile run for three-year-old fillies, is set for approximately 5:51 p.m.

It's a holiday for many in Louisville. Classes at local schools are out and many businesses around the city are closed for the event, which drew more than 100,000 attendees to the iconic racetrack last year.

At around 5:15 p.m. Friday, attendance for Kentucky Oaks Day was up to 106,381, a 6.2% increase from last year's 100,188, according to Darren Rogers at Churchill Downs.

Pretty Mischievous claimed victory in the 2023 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

'It's just fantastic': Kentucky Oaks brings large crowds on sunny day to Churchill Downs

The Courier Journal will have a full staff on hand at Churchill Downs for Friday's races as well as the parties around Louisville set for the evening, ahead of Saturday's Kentucky Derby festivities. Whether you're heading to Churchill Downs or keeping up with Friday's action from home, here's a look at what's happening and what to expect.

8:24 p.m.: Oaks fans await shuttles back to Expo Center

After spending the entire day at Kentucky Oaks, Sheila Wilson, was ready to go home — awaiting her shuttle back to the Expo Center among many others who were in line.

Wilson, who arrived at 6 a.m. Friday morning for the event, applauds the transportation services that are designed to help everyone leave. She said despite what looks like chaos, it's actually running quite smoothly.

"You understand if it was just 100, if it was just 1,000, if it was just 2,000, the process would be a lot easier," she said. "But in order to move people out, this is the process they've come up with and I think it's working fine."

6:46 p.m.: 'Go big or go home'

For Trey Moser from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he said he wanted "to go big" with his Kentucky Oaks outfit. To accomplish this, he sported a large U.S.A-inspired hat to match his blue-starred jacket and red pants.

"I've done this a few times, and go big or go home," Moser said. "I mean like, I want to go big. And so, it's a lot of fun. I love this country. This is a lot of fun.

6:01 p.m.: Pretty Mischievous wins Kentucky Oaks 2023

Pretty Mischievous was first to cross the line to claim victory in the 2023 Kentucky Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Pretty Mischievous had 10-1 morning-line odds.

Pretty Mischievous, out of the 14th post, beat No. 3 Gambling Girl by a neck and paid $22.74 to win.

Race Results: Kentucky Oaks undercard results 2023

6:02 p.m.: Kentucky Oaks finishing order

Pretty Mischievous took the lead at the top of the stretch and crossed the finish line first to win the 2023 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Pretty Mischievous, with jockey Tyler Gaffalione and trainer Brendan Walsh, surged ahead after running on the outside of a four-way race for the lead off the final turn. Pretty Mischievous outran a final push by Gambling Girl, who finished in second. The Alys Look finished third. Watch the replay of the race here.

Here's the order of finish for this year's Oaks race:

1. Pretty Mischievous, 10-1

2. Gambling Girl, 13-1

3. The Alys Look, 30-1

4. Wet Paint, 8-5

5. Dorth Vader, 25-1

6. Flying Connection, 17-1

7. Defining Purpose, 10-1

8. Mimi Kakushi, 30-1

9. Wonder Wheel, 10-1

10. Southlawn, 5-1

11. Affirmative Lady, 22-1

12. And Tell Me Nolies, 45-1

13. Botanical, 6-1

14. Promiseher America, 30-1

5:58 p.m.: 'They do not know what they are missing'

Stacy Ferguson, who is from Louisville, said this was her first Oaks and she loves it, while her friend, Anita Meneese, was at the track with her for her second year.

"It's wonderful," Meneese said. "Anybody who does not come to the Derby events, they do not know what they are missing, and they don't know what they are missing out (on)."

Last year was her first time coming to the Oaks and she said she was upset that after all these years living in Louisville, she was missing all the enjoyment that comes once a year.

"What in the world was I thinking," Meneese said.

4:30 p.m.: 'We came a long way'

Lef Johnson, Quint Thompson and Kareem Thomas traveled to Louisville from Chicago for their horse-racing experience. Their suits: Custom-made, they said.

"We came a long way for this event. So, we excited to be out here and the weather held up so that's nice,” Thompson said.

4 p.m.: Oaks is for making new friends

Joonas Kohtala came with his friend Jim Simmons and met Cherjuantoe Moran and her daughter Vaseana Moran.

“That's why you come to Oaks and Churchill Downs, is to make friends, make some bets, hopefully win a few and go home happy,” Kohtala said.

One family even came with their own theme — and always stay in character. This year the theme was famous musicians — identifying as "Elv King" (Elvis Presley), SLASH, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, Britney Spears, and "JT" (Justin Timberlake.

They've been creating themes for their Kentucky Oaks outfits for the last 10 years.

3:40 p.m.: Rachel Platten sings at the Survivors Parade

A break in the action came at about 3:30 p.m. as 149 breast cancer survivors and fighters took to the course at Churchill Downs. Singer-songwriter Rachel Platten sang her hit "Fight Song."

The annual Survivors Parade is aimed at celebrating survivors and encouraging those who are fighting breast cancer. Oaks attendees are encouraged to incorporate pink into their Friday outfits as well.

At Churchill Downs, meanwhile, Brandon Cosgriff was showing off the iconic racetrack to his two daughters. Wearing a bright suit that looked like a Jackson Pollock painting, he said the Oaks is "an experience."

2:25 p.m.: Red Carpet Ready wins a thriller

Red Carpet Ready held on to win the seventh race of the day in a thriller over favorite Munnys Gold.

Red Carpet Ready's win in the Eight Belles Stakes (named after Eight Belles, a filly who finished second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby but was injured and euthanized immediately after the race) took place with thousands in the stands. Attendance for Oaks Day has not been announced yet, with the main event set to take place just before 6 p.m.

Christopher Causey was among them. The Virginia resident came to Friday's races with a colorful hat inspired by his "love for pollinators and bees.”

Rian and Sarah Burnhardt made the trip to Kentucky from Colorado, wearing matching yellow outfits as they took in the races at Churchill Downs. They were having so much fun, she said, they might just move here.

1:15 p.m.: Lifers and first-timers pack the stands

From first-timers to longtime attendees, the Kentucky Oaks always brings out an interesting crowd.

Friday is special for Kacee Davidson, because it marks the first time she and her husband have attende the Oaks since having children. She made sure to stop by the Churchill Downs gift shop to buy goodies for her daughter Olivia, son Cooper and her in-laws who took on babysitting duties for the day.

"I want to make sure that I get all my gifts," she said.

Elaine Luck and Carrie Morrison traveled from Phoenix to attend the race together, their first visit to Churchill Downs. They said they are looking forward to watching the races, betting and seeing all the fashion.

Bell Rodney has been attending the Oaks and Derby for 30 years. Rodney lives in Montgomery, Alabama, but he has family in Kentucky. He said his favorite part of the Derby weekend is betting and hopefully, winning big.

"I'm here to win, I love winning ... today I think I'm going to take the favorite," Rodney said.

12:15 p.m.: Long lines and high fashion at Churchill Downs

Be prepared to wait if you're heading to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks. Our reporters on site warn shuttle lines are long, as well as lines once you're inside the racetrack. On the bright side, though, most lines appear to be moving quickly.

Be prepared for a fashion show as well, with unique outfits a staple of the weekend. Courier Journal reporter Kirby Adams found one pair dressed in floral print, with "functional and flashy" footwear. If you're heading to the racetrack, Adams recommends wearing shoes you'll feel comfortable wearing after several hours on the bricks of Churchill Downs.

Other Courier Journal reporters on site have found plenty of notable looks as well.

On the racetrack, meanwhile, Heartyconstitution just won the fourth race of the day at 3-1 odds.

11:30 a.m.: A colorful Kentucky Oaks program

The program for the 2023 Kentucky Oaks has a unique design by a well-known international artist.

The program eschews a traditional horse photo in favor of a colorful drawn thoroughbred running along the racetrack. It was put together by Brazilian artist Romero Britto, who uses bright colors and elements of cubism in his works.

Races are underway at Churchill Downs in the meantime, with the day's third race set to start at 11:30 a.m.

10:15 a.m.: Kentucky Derby loses another contender

The field for Saturday's Kentucky Derby is down to 19 horses.

Skinner has scratched, Churchill Downs announced Friday morning, due to an elevated temperature. That marks the fourth scratch from the Kentucky Derby field.

Skinner came into the week with 20-1 odds. The colt finished third in the Santa Anita Derby and is 1-0-3 in six career starts.

9:30 a.m.: Gates are open at Churchill Downs

It's race day at Churchill Downs, with fans flocking to the racetrack for the Kentucky Oaks.

Gates opened at 9 a.m., with attendees encouraged to park in other lots around South Louisville instead of at the lots just outside Churchill Downs.

The weather is ideal for race day, with sunny conditions expected. In 2022, the Kentucky Oaks brought out 100,118 fans.

Friday's first race should begin about 10:30 a.m., with the final one set to start at 7 p.m.

What to expect at Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs will host a full card of races Friday leading up to the main event in the evening.

The day's forecast called for rain earlier in the week but has cleared as of Friday, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s expected in Louisville.

The Kentucky Oaks is the 11th of 13 races throughout the day and is preceded annually by a parade of breast and ovarian cancer survivors on the racetrack (attendees are encouraged to wear pink to honor the day's fundraising efforts for women's health issues).

What to expect in the Kentucky Oaks race

Looking to make some money on Friday's big race? Best of luck – experts at The Courier Journal's annual Better Derby Betting event said the field is wide open this year.

Wet Paint, trained by Brad Cox, is your likely morning-line favorite. She was listed at 5-2 after Monday's Kentucky Oaks draw and is one of three Cox horses in the race, along with The Alys Look (15-1) and Botanical (4-1).

Secret Oath won the race in 2022, with jockey Luis Saez aboard. Could he strike again this year? He'll be riding Dorth Vader (20-1) in Friday's race.

The Kentucky Oaks comes with a $1.25 million purse and will air on USA Network, with streaming options available via NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock.

Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby news

Kentucky Oaks post position draw 2023: Lineup and latest odds for race at Churchill Downs

Kentucky Oaks predictions: Ed DeRosa's picks, analysis for Friday's 13 races at Churchill Downs

For Courier Journal subscribers: Five tips for bettors at our annual Better Derby Betting event

Horse deaths: Kentucky Derby scratches and horse deaths at Churchill Downs: What we know

C.L. Brown: Horse safety at Churchill Downs starts with addressing people problem during Derby week

Reach The Courier Journal's breaking news team at lounews@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Oaks 2023 live updates: Who won, highlights and more