Plenty at Stake at Churchill

The $500,000 Kentucky Oaks may be the centerpiece of the Churchill Downs card today, but there are plenty of other opportunities there for bettors.

Five stakes races precede the Oaks, including three graded races -- the $100,000 Turf Sprint at five furlongs, the $300,000 Louisville Breeders’ Cup Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, and the $100,000 Crown Royal American Turf at 1 1/16 miles.

Star Parade, an unlucky second at 21-1 in the Apple Blossom Handicap last month at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, will be a much shorter price in the Louisville Breeders’ Cup as she seeks her seventh victory under new rider Patrick Valenzuela.

Owned by Gary Tanaka and trained by Darrell Vienna, the 6-year-old Parade Marshal mare is a two-time Grade I winner in California, having taken the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita and the Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park last year.

The two other stakes on the program are the $100,000 Edgewood at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, and the $100,000 Alysheba at 1 1/16 miles.

Race of the day: Palique will aim for his third victory in his last four starts for Team Valor and trainer John Kimmel in today’s eighth at Belmont Park on the first twilight card of the spring-summer meet.

Mike Luzzi will ride the 6-year-old Uruguayan-bred in the $50,000 optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Other contenders include Cacht Wells, Rahy’s Chance and Full Flow, a recent $50,000 claim by trainer Gary Sciacca.

One for the road: Dwango won big in his first start for trainer Nick Zito and should be tough in today’s fourth at Churchill Downs.

Rafael Bejarano will ride the 4-year-old Royal Academy colt in the $533,000 allowance at one mile.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using all in the first, Cheroot in the second, Award Winning Team and Orange’em in the third and Travel Alarm, Hotel Hall and Flying General in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/28. Money: Previous day/meet total: $16.20/$153.60. Total money bet: $174.