The Baffert stable will send out a trio of stakes horses on the Friday May 4 card at Churchill Downs, headlined by Rayya in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

In an interesting twist, Baffert's Oaks winner from last year, Abel Tasman, is also entered on Friday, in the Grade 1 La Troienne, race 6 at 1:17 p.m. ET. Able Tasman will be making her first start since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She'll be ridden by Mike Smith, who was aboard for last year's Oaks win, as well as victories in the Acorn S. (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

If Baffert wins this year's edition of the Kentucky Oaks, he would be the first trainer since D. Wayne Lukas won back-to-back runnings in 1989-90. Rayya drew post seven, right in the middle of the 14-horse field. Rayya was based in Dubai prior to joining the Baffert stable last month. In five starts in the UAE, she won two races, including the UAE Oaks (G3), and was second behind leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Mendelssohn in the UAE Derby (G2). Both races were at 1 3/16-miles, making her the only filly in the field to race further than the Oaks 1 1/8-mile distance.

Rayya will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke on Friday.

Rounding out Baffert's stakes trio is Hoppertunity in race 8, the $400,000 Alysheba S. (G2). The veteran campaigner, who has earned more than $4.4 million, will face a tough field that includes last year's Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming. Hoppertunity will be piloted by Flavien Prat, who guided the 7-year-old to an easy victory in the Tokyo City (G3) last time out, on April 8 at Santa Anita Park.