The Oaks Fantasy: Examining the Arkansas Path to the First Friday in May
The Fantasy (G2), first run in 1973 at Oaklawn Park, has served as a key Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep long before the Road to the Oaks was established in 2013.
Oaklawn Park
Sara Dacus
Sara Dacus is a lifelong Arkansan who teaches eighth grade English. While she was dating her now-husband, he took her to Oaklawn Park, and a love affair with both ignited. Dacus is now an avid racing enthusiast who follows the sport closely.
Kentucky Oaks: By the Numbers
$1.05 million—purchase price of Always a Runner. She was bought by Douglas Scharbauer, who co-owns her with Three Chimneys Farm. With two previous starts—both daylight scores—she is the least experienced horse in the 2026 edition.
Racing
Elite contenders emerge from top-tier paths to Kentucky Derby and Oaks
The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby stretched to 50 races across the country and around the world, while the Road to the Oaks unfolded across 33 contests of its own. Both paths culminated with a championship series: races offering 100 points to the winner and the best shot of securing a spot in the starting gate. Here’s a look at five of these top-tier Derby and Oaks preps.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Probables Prepare for first Friday in May
The 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1), which will be broadcast in primetime for the first time, is one week away. Here’s a look at the three fillies heading to the starting gate who earned the most points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Racing
20 songs for your Kentucky Derby playlist
Do you know these 20 familiar songs referencing horse racing or the Kentucky Derby?
Video
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Road to the Oaks concludes
Last weekend, the Ashland (G1), the Gazelle (G3), and the Santa Anita Oaks (G2)—all 100-point races—wrapped up the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, and the leaderboard is set.
Analysis
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Road to the Oaks concludes this week with three 100-point preps
The starting gate picture will come into focus after this weekend, when the final three races on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks are in the books.
Gulfstream Park
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Spotlight on Arkansas and Florida races
The $1 million Fantasy (G2), the country’s richest Oaks prep race this year, headlines Oaklawn’s Friday card. On Saturday, the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) offers 100 points to the top filly.
Gulfstream Park
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Bottle of Rouge jumps to #3, 100-point races begin
The 2026 Kentucky Oaks, which will be broadcast in primetime for the first time, is 43 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:
Fair Grounds
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Forced Entry joins top 5, Virginia Oaks provides next test
Forced Entry stormed from maiden winner to a likely berth in the Kentucky Oaks.
Analysis
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Explora returns to top form; Super Corredora vies to do the same
Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues.
Racing
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Honeybee and Davona Dale top weekend action
The action heats up this weekend with three races in the Kentucky Oaks Champion Series: the Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Busher S. at Aqueduct on Saturday, and Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn on Sunday.
Gulfstream Park
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Bella Ballerina leaps up Leaderboard; only international contest Friday
The 2026 Kentucky Oaks, which will be broadcast in primetime for the first time, is 71 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:
Racing
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: 50-point races begin
The Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds is the first of the 50-point prep races and was the penultimate race for 2025 Oaks winner Good Cheer and owners Godolphin. This year, Godolphin enters morning-line favorite Bella Ballerina, who was victorious in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs and is unbeaten in two career starts.
Analysis
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Thrilling three-prep weekend ahead
The 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1), which will be broadcast in primetime for the first time, is 85 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:
Racing
Race for the Crown Episode 6 Recap: The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont S. (G1)—the Test of the Champion—gets the spotlight in the sixth and final episode of "Race for the Crown."
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown episode 5 recap: The Preakness
The Preakness—the middle jewel of the Triple Crown—takes center stage in episode 5 of Race for the Crown. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan enters the second leg of the series with history on the line. A win at Pimlico would put him just one race away from becoming the 14th horse to sweep the Triple Crown.
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown episode 4 recap: The Kentucky Derby - Photo Finish
Episode 4 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Kentucky Derby: Photo Finish,” captures Derby Week's electricity—from the post position draw to the grand parade to the exclusive trainers’ dinner.
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown episode 3 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 2
Race for the Crown episode 3—titled "The Road to the Derby: Part 2"—slightly deviates from the chronological sequence of the 2024 Derby preps, focusing on the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown episode 2 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 1
Episode 2 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Road to the Derby – Part 1,” highlights two critical Kentucky Derby prep races: the Florida Derby (G1) and the Blue Grass S. (G1), both offering Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown episode 1 recap: The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports
Race for the Crown opens with episode 1, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” spotlighting the difficulty of getting to the Kentucky Derby. A voiceover sets the stakes: “20,000 horses born every year. 20 in the starting gate.”
Triple Crown
Race for the Crown Premiers on Netflix: Follow Along with TwinSpires
Race for the Crown premieres on Netflix April 22. The six-part docuseries follows jockeys, trainers, and owners through the 2024 Triple Crown season, beginning with the previous season’s Breeders’ Cup.
Triple Crown
Watch Netflix's Race for the Crown along with TwinSpires
TwinSpires will recap each episode of Netflix's Race for the Crown as we count down to the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Remembering the Run for the Roses: longtime attendee looks back on his best Derby memories
Charles VanDyne has attended approximately 60 editions of the Kentucky Derby. The still-practicing attorney from Ada, Ohio, who has been in his present office for 66 years, is proud to say he is 91 years old.
History
Art Sherman's lifetime horsemanship hit the stratosphere
Art Sherman had a storied career in horse racing before California Chrome walked into it.
Features
TRF Second Chances farm is changing human and equine lives
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances farm at Blackburn Correctional Complex has been changing lives—both human and equine—since 1999.
Racing
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Second Chances at Lowell Horse Show
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Second Chances at Lowell Horse Show
Racing
What is the History of entering a horse into a horse race?
The roots of racing in medieval England were planted when horses for sale were ridden in competition to demonstrate their speed to potential buyers.
History
Racing
Racing