Meet the Contenders: 2026 Kentucky Oaks
Bella Ballerina wins the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
April 30th, 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Explora defeats Counting Stars in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 Explora ***
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pro: Gem of consistency and form of Honeybee (G3) success was flattered.
Con: Missed the intended last prep, thus enters off a considerable layoff.
Zany wins the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)
#2 Zany *****
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pro: Long-time Oaks favorite not disgraced when beaten for the first time in Ashland (G1).
Con: Has yet to match Demoiselle (G2) effort this season; potentially overbet.
Zany dominates and gives trainer Todd Pletcher his 10th win in the G2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct! 💪🏆@iradortiz was aboard the 2YO filly wearing the @repolestable silks. pic.twitter.com/buOfJZQ8Vl
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 6, 2025
Search Party wins the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Search Party **
Trainer: Mark Casse
Pro: Prevailed in blanket Martha Washington S. finish; second best in Fantasy (G2).
Con: Gives vibes of being a cut or two below the top players.
Counting Stars wins the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn. (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Counting Stars ***
Trainer: Mark Casse
Pro: Eye-catching win in Fantasy, albeit without Explora in the field.
Con: Not immune to running some head-scratching clunkers.
Meaning wins the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#5 Meaning ****
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Pro: Showed improved speed winning Santa Anita Oaks (G2) as odds-on choice.
Con: Wasn’t beating much in California aside from Explora.
My Miss Mo wions at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#6 My Miss Mo **
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Pro: Second best in two main Gulfstream preps, though lost ground late in both.
Con: Form so far suggests one turn might be more ideal.
Dazzling Dame wins the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
#7 Dazzling Dame *
Trainer: Brittany Russell
Pro: Three-time stakes winner, albeit all around one turn.
Con: No factor the last time she ran here; relative class big concern.
Bottle of Rouge upset stablemate Explora in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#8 Bottle of Rouge *** [SCRATCHED]
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pro: Aside from the Breeders’ Cup flop, form has been consistently good.
Con: Wins have mostly come against easier (Sunland) or around one turn.
Always a Runner wins the Gazelle at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#9 Always a Runner ***
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pro: Popped up to win Gazelle (G3) off slow debut score; has high ceiling.
Con: Faces a lot tougher here and lacks the experience others have.
Prom Queen wins the Gulfstream Park Oaks at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#10 Prom Queen ****
Trainer: Brad Cox
Pro: Took a huge step forward in Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2); sure to be overlooked a bit.
Con: Beat mostly one-turn types in that prep; waters much deeper here.
Percy's Bar wins the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Percy’s Bar *****
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Pro: Fired big off the layoff in Ashland, thus is relatively fresh.
Con: Has not been as dominant outside of Keeneland.
Bella Ballerina wins the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#12 Bella Ballerina ***
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Pro: Sis won the Kentucky Oaks, and she’s proven over the track.
Con: Final prep in Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) was not overly fast; lifetime best needed.
Pashmina training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#13 Pashmina **
Trainer: Rob Atras
Pro: Second-place run in the Gazelle was her best run yet in a stakes.
Con: Losses in softer Oaks preps suggest she’s not quite good enough.
Brooklyn Blonde training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#14 Brooklyn Blonde **
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Pro: Second best to stablemate Meaning in stakes debut.
Con: Arguably a cut or two below this early in the season.
Lovely Grey training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#15 Lovely Grey *
Trainer: Kelsey Danner
Pro: Has lost some tough ones this year, albeit versus softer at Turfway.
Con: Lone prior dirt try left much to be desired.
Nycon (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
AE #16 Nycon *
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Pro: Winner over this track and arguably better than last suggests.
Con: Lone win in the mud and hasn’t distinguished herself with top company.
Resist training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
AE #17 Resist *
Trainer: Thomas Drury
Pro: Form has been okay, including two stakes placings.
Con: Has done all her work on a synthetic surface; in deep here.
Join Jason Beem to talk all things Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby as we lead up to the Oaks on Friday night. He's been announcing horse races for 20 years and even called the favorite for this year’s Kentucky Oaks, Zany, at Tampa Bay Downs in February. You can also hear him talk racing four days a week on the Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast brought to you by TwinSpires.
The action kicks off during Derby week with Thurby LIVE coverage and continues on Kentucky Oaks Day and the highlight of the weekend, the Kentucky Derby. Check out our schedule below and join us each day for expert picks, content, and great conversation.
Schedule
Thurby Day | 5:00 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET
Kentucky Oaks Day | 3:30 PM ET - 8:30 PM ET
Kentucky Derby Day | 12:30 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET
