Kentucky Oaks Roundup: 50-point races begin

The 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1), which will be broadcast in primetime for the first time ever, is 78 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:

Mix of favorites and mild upsets took last week's preps

Zany vaulted to fourth on the Oaks leaderboard, coasting to a 2 3/4-length victory ahead of Life of Joy in the Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Her perfect three-for-three record also includes a win in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct. The daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and Mo’ Green, an Uncle Mo mare, is owned by Repole Stable, trained by Todd Pletcher, and was ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. 

Meaning also made a leaderboard leap: a mild upset in the Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita puts her just behind Zany in fifth. The daughter of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner previously finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) behind one-two finishers Super Corredora and Explora. In this rematch, Super Corredora and Explora engaged in a hot pace duel, and Meaning, trained by Mike McCarthy, emerged as the 1 1/2 lengths victress. Super Corredora and Explora each earned additional Oaks points for their efforts, and the two still sit at the top of the standings. 

Counting Stars was favored in the Martha Washington, but stablemate Search Party held off several challengers, including one from longshot Newtown Pike, to get the win for trainer Mark Casse. Search Party was making her stakes debut after breaking her maiden at Oaklawn by six lengths.  She is also a daughter of Gun Runner, and while Casse is a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, he does not have an Oaks victory on his resume. 

The Rachel Alexandra (G2) kicks off the 50-point races

The Rachel Alexandra 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. She is from the barn of Brendan Walsh, who partnered with Godolphin on the 2023 Rachel Alexandra winner Pretty Mischievous. Bella Ballerina’s challengers include Powered by Family, who takes a step up in class after a maiden special weight win on the same oval. She is trained by Cherie De Vaux and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz. 

Sunland Park Oaks attracts California shippers

Sunday, the Sunland Park Oaks offers 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers. Bob Baffert’s Bottle of Rouge tops the field. The daughter of 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso was the Del Mar Debutante (G1) champion before finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Trainer Doug O’Neill ships in Cashed. The daughter of 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another was second in both the California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita and the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar. Trainer Todd Fincher sends out unbeaten Coffee Connection.

Road to the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard: Top Five

1. Explora (45 points)
2. Super Corredora (34 points)
3. Taken by the Wind (30 points)
4. Zany (30 points)
5. Meaning (26 points)