Nest installed 5-2 favorite in 14-filly Kentucky Oaks

Nest, dominating winner of the Ashland (G1), has been installed the 5-2 favorite for the 148th running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Nest drew post 4 in the field of 14.

The undefeated Kathleen O., victorious in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Davona Dale (G2) over the winter, will look to give Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his first Oaks win since Dispute won a thriller in 1993.

Echo Zulu, last year's champion juvenile filly who narrowly kept her own undefeated record intact in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in late March, will break in the middle of the pack in post 7. No reigning division champion has won the Oaks since Silverbulletday in 1999.

Secret Oath, dominating winner of two stakes at Oaklawn over the winter before running a troubled third against the boys in the Arkansas Derby (G1), drew the inside post. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won the Oaks four times, most recently in 1990.