The undercard of the Kentucky Oaks featured five stakes races contested on both the sloppy, sealed main track and the yielding turf course. Heavy overnight rains soaked Churchill Downs and dark clouds and no wind all day prevented the track from drying out. 100,075 fans were in attendance and they helped set a new all-sources wagering record for Oaks day card of $33,570,510, a 1.5% improvement over the record set last year.
In the $150,000 Crown Royal American Turf (G3) for 3-year-olds, 9-2 third choice Duveen stalked the early pace of 17-1 Jazz Quest through a half in a slow 50.09, then took over the lead at the top of the stretch and held off late-running 7-2 second choice Whatsthescript to win by 1/2 a length in 1:44.03 for the 1 1/16 mile distance over a yielding turf course. It was another 1/2 length back to pacesetter Jazz Quest, while 3-1 favorite Marcavelly was fourth.
Winning jockey Mark Guidry said, "This is a really nice colt. I told everybody a month ago that he would win this race. I thought there would be a better pace today. He was fresh today and he was really pumped up in the post parade. I tried to keep him as relaxed as possible and when we turned for home, he really exploded for me. I think he has a great future." Bill Mott, trainer of beaten favorite Marcavelly said, "The big crowd may have had something to do with it because he was very rank and wouldn't settle for Edgar (Prado). He was more anxious than we would have liked him to be. Edgar had to muscle him back early. (The soft turf) could have been a factor, but the big thing was how anxious and rank he was."
