Honeybee Stakes 2024 | Oaklawn Park Picks [Kentucky Oaks]

Aaron previews the 2024 Honeybee Stakes (G3) from Oaklawn Park, then gives his top picks from this Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep race.

Did trainer Brad Cox make a winning decision by entering West Omaha here instead of in last week’s Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2)? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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The press release:

The $400,000 G3 Honeybee Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles shares the card with the Rebel. Like the Rebel, the Razorback and Honeybee are 1 1/16-miles races, while the distance for the Carousel is six furlongs.

The Honeybee is among four stakes races on a 12-race card that begins at 12:00 p.m. CST. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Weather permitting, the infield will be open for the first time this season.

Probable post time for the Honeybee Stakes, the 9^th race, is 4:10 p.m.

The Honeybee is Oaklawn’s second of three qualifying races for the Kentucky Oaks. It will offer 105 points to its top five finishers (50-25-15-10-5, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the country’s biggest race for 3-year-old fillies.

Honeybee entrants include Band of Gold for McPeek and West Omaha for Cox.

Band of Gold won the weather-delayed $250,000 Martha Washington Stakes. The Martha Washington, delayed one week because of winter weather, was Oaklawn’s first Kentucky Oaks points race.

West Omaha won the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes at one mile and 70 yards Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds in her last start.

The field for the Honeybee Stakes, from the rail out:

1. Alys Beach, Julien Leparoux to ride, 119 pounds
2. Band of Gold, Brian Hernandez Jr., 122
3. Honor Cat, Harry Hernandez, 117
4. Neom Beach, Tyler Gaffalione, 117
5. Edistrudis, Isaac Castillo, 117
6. West Omaha, Cristian Torres, 122
7. Lemon Muffin, Keith Asmussen, 117
8. Tapit Jenallie, Emmanuel Esquivel, 117
9. In Just My Heels, Rafael Bejarano, 117
10. Midshipman’s Dance, Ramon Vazquez, 117