And the Winner(s) Is(Are).....

So somehow or other your semi-intrepid bloggist feels the need to fess up, or cop, or subject himself to ridicule in the old Oaks Swan Song. Been good trying to follow these fillies; wish more folks would have come and played.

Here then -- for better or worse -- is one man's opinion on how the nine-panel Kentucky Oaks might unfold Friday at Churchill Downs:

Rain, it appears, will be a factor, but -- with a track that handles water well, with a track maintenance crew that knows their stuff and with a weather forecast that changes almost by the hour -- perhaps it won't be too much of a difference maker. As noted previously, give a slight edge to Bsharpsonata, Proud Spell and Little Belle for their prior good efforts on the 'off.'

But, who then, you want to know, do you like? OK, let's go this way: Let's zero in on three lassies -- Bsharpsonata, Country Star and Golden Doc A.

Bsharpsonata is relentless in her running style, has looked the part on the backstretch at Churchill the past week, handles the 'off' and may only need a well-timed ride to get the money. Give me some of her.

Country Star was supposed to be the shining star coming into this, but physical ills and a flame-out as the favorite in her last dimmed her reputation. But trainer Robert Frankel remains high on his daughter of Empire Maker and that is a strong endorsement indeed. If she runs her best race -- and the conditioner thinks she has a good chance to do just that -- she could be the one to beat in the Grade I.

Finally, Golden Doc A gets big points for dancing every dance, firing every time, drawing a red-hot rider and training all week at Churchill like she really means it. She will be coming at the finish and they better not hiccup in front of her or she'll go right on by.

Let's play them all to Colonel John in the Oaks - Derby Double for openers. By tomorrow afternoon there will be other Derby horses to throw into that mix, but which ones are still molting in your bloggist's slightly-addled brain. Hopefully, they'll emerge prior to the wickets closing on the best Double bet in America.

Allow me then to finish by saying it has been fun doing the Okie-Doke with you all. With a break or two, maybe we can do it again next year. Much good luck to you all, and don't forget to bet on the winners.