While much of the attention during the first weekend of May in Louisville focuses on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the Friday before the first jewel of the Triple Crown also is a major event in its own right as Churchill Downs hosts the Longines Kentucky Oaks card.

The marquee race of the day is the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies that goes a long way toward determining the season’s division champion. Like Kentucky Derby day, Oaks day is much more than just a big race as people flock to the racetrack for a fun, fashionable day to celebrate the majesty of horses and the sport of horse racing. Eclipse Sportswire was on hand to capture the magic at Churchill.