Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Spotlight on Arkansas and Florida races

The 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1), which will be broadcast in prime time for the first time, is 36 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:

Life of Joy pulls mild upset in Fair Grounds Oaks

Life of Joy pulled off a mild upset in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), the first of the 100-point races on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Favorite Bella Ballerina, previously the victress in the Rachel Alexandra (G2), contested the pace through the second turn, and then Life of Joy made a bold move and pulled away in the stretch to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Bella Ballerina was second, and Luv Your Neighbor, previously second to Bella Ballerina in the Rachel Alexandra, was half a length behind her for third. 

Life of Joy is now at the top of the Oaks leaderboard, and Bella Ballerina is second. 

Life of Joy is a daughter of the 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner. She previously earned points with a win in the Rags to Riches S. at Churchill Downs. This victory gave Brad Cox his fifth Fair Grounds Oaks win.

Lorelei Lee brings bigger upset in Bourbonette Oaks

At 10-1 odds, Lorelei Lee brought a bigger upset to the Bourbonette Oaks. The Michael Maker-trainee had only raced twice, both times at Turfway Park, prior to jumping up in class: she won her career debut and then finished third in an allowance race. Her workouts indicated that she might be ready for a big move, and she delivered. She took the lead early and dug in, holding off a late challenge from Lovely Gray to win by 1 3/4 lengths and earn 50 points. Lorelei Lee is the daughter of Nyquist, winner of the 2016 Kentucky Derby. 

Championship races continue with Fantasy and Gulfstream Park Oaks 

The $1 million Fantasy (G2), the country’s richest Oaks prep race this year, headlines Oaklawn Park’s Friday card. It was set to be a rematch of Explora and Counting Stars, the 1-2 finishers in the Honeybee (G3), Oaklawn’s second Oaks qualifying race. However, Explora will be scratched after developing a fever. Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, who is winning at Oaklawn at 31%, saddles Counting Stars and two other entries: Search Party, winner of Oaklawn’s first Oaks prep, and Empath, who races around two turns for the first time. 

With only five horses scheduled to run, the Fantasy will now award 150 total points to its top five finishers (75-37.5-18.75-11.25-7.5, respectively).

On Saturday at Gulfstream Park, the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) offers 100 points to the top filly. Six-length runaway winner of the Davona Dale (G2), She Be Smooth, returns to prove she is the best filly on the Florida path to the Kentucky Oaks. She is unbeaten in her fledgling career of two races, and she makes her first start going two turns. She is trained by Todd Pletcher and will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Prom Queen is the second choice on the morning line, making her stakes debut off an eight-length romp at the course and distance for trainer Brad Cox. Her father is the  2009 Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) winner Quality Road. The Davona Dale second-place finisher, My Miss Mo, attempts to turn the tables on She Be Smooth. She is trained by Championship Meet leader Saffie Joseph Jr.

Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard top five

1. Life of Joy (122 points)
2. Bella Ballerina (110 points)
3. Explora (95 points)
4. Luv Your Neighbor (65 points)
5. Bottle of Rouge (57.50 points)