LOUISVILLE – Churchill Downs serves up a rich Derby appetizer today when the nation’s top 3-year-old fillies, including reigning 2-year-old champ Halfbridled, run for a $705,000 purse in the 130th Kentucky Oaks at a mile-and-an-eighth.

Unbeaten Madcap Escapade, Jerry Bailey up, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the field of 12, following four wins this year including a gate-to-wire score last out in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland.

After winning her first three starts by daylight, however, Madcap Escapade appeared to be tiring at the end of the mile-and-a-sixteenth Ashland, her first try at two turns. The filly she held off that day by a diminishing half-length, Ashado, is the one to beat in the Oaks.

Ashado, who breaks from the rail under John Velazquez, has won five of eight starts, with stakes victories in the Schuylerville, Spinaway and Demoiselle as a 2-year-old and the Fair Grounds Oaks this season. Runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, the daughter of Saint Ballado has never been worse than third.

Halfbridled, who’ll be ridden by Alex Solis, concluded a 4-for-4 campaign at 2 with a 2 1/2-length romp in the Breeders’ Cup. She finished second in both starts this year, however, both times as the odds-on choice.