Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Forced Entry joins top 5, Virginia Oaks provides next test

The 2026 Kentucky Oaks, which will be broadcast in prime time for the first time, is 50 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:

Forced Entry breaks through in the San Ysabel (G3)

Forced Entry stormed from maiden winner to a likely berth in the Kentucky Oaks. Breaking well, she stalked the pace, took command at the top of the stretch, and remained strong to the wire, besting the field by 1 3/4 lengths. Jockey Juan Hernandez had the call for Bob Baffert. Bank Shot, a 21-1 longshot ridden by Adrian Escobedo for trainer Ryan Hanson, finished second, and French Blue, also from the Baffert barn, finished third. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Super Corredora broke poorly and was never involved. She finished sixth. 

Forced Entry is owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, who are known as “The Three Amigos.” The trio also races Explora, who sits atop the Oaks leaderboard and is trained by Baffert. 

The Oaks trail stops in Virginia

Baffert brings the favorite in the weekend’s lone prep: Bottle of Rouge in the Virginia Oaks. She previously picked up points as the Sunland Park Oaks victress. As a two-year-old, Bottle of Rouge won the Del Mar Debutante (G1) before finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The daughter of 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso is owned by Jill Baffert, the trainer’s wife. 

Challenger Dazzling Dame secured Oaks points with an 11 1/2 victory in the Busanda S. at Aqueduct. Her resume also includes wins at Delaware Park, Monmouth, and Laurel. Her only loss is a fourth-place finish in the Pocahontas (G3), the first race on the Road to the Oaks. 

Dazzling Dame is trained by Brittany Russell. In 2023, she became the first female trainer to lead Maryland’s year-end standings by wins, and she repeated the feat in 2024 and 2025. Her husband is veteran Maryland jockey, Sheldon Russell. The couple paired up on one of their biggest career successes: a second-place finish in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) with Post Time. 

The Virginia Oaks field also includes Hit Parade for trainer Brad Cox and two Todd Pletcher entries: Kadabra and Baffle, a Repole Stables maiden. 

Road to the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard top five

1. Explora (95 points)
2. Bella Ballerina (60 points)
3. Labwah (50 points)
4. She Be Smooth (50 points)
5. Forced Entry (50 points)