Big Red Seven wins Race 1 on 2015 Kentucky Oaks Day program

Big Red Seven carried her speed to a 26-1 upset in the first race at Churchill Downs, holding off 4-5 favorite Chide to win by about a half-length.

The second-longest shot among nine runners in the seven-furlong allowance for three-year-old fillies, Big Red Seven broke forwardly with jockey Jon Court, tracking the pacesetter in second until accelerating to a clear lead leaving the far turn.

Chide was caught in traffic most of the way before getting free late, rallying determinedly to pose a serious threat before running out of ground on the wire.

Big Red Seven returned a whopping $54 win mutuel.

Owned by Xpress Thoroughbred LLC and trained by William “Jinks” Fires, Big Red Seven posted her second career win. The Kentucky-bred improved her overall record 11-2-1-2.

Early speed performed well on the main track in the opener and we’ll continue to monitor how both the dirt and turf are playing in upcoming races.