Spot Plays for Kentucky Oaks Prep Races

A trio of 2026 Road to the Kentucky Oaks races will be contested this weekend across the country, with qualifying points being awarded to the top-five finishers of each affair on a 10-5-3-2-1 structure. 

Race 9: Alcibiades S. (G1) (Keeneland Friday)

Spendthrift homebred #3 Tommy Jo (2-5) is a prohibitive favorite for the Grade 1 affair, and deservedly so. The Pletcher pupil is two-for-two leading up to her first run in the Bluegrass State, led by a daylight score in the Spinaway S. (G1) at Saratoga most recently. The Into Mischief filly should handle the move to two turns with relative ease under John Velazquez. 

Race 6: Frizette S. (G1) (Aqueduct Saturday)

A total of 11 two-year-old fillies will go postward at Aqueduct in the super competitive Grade 1 event. The race will surely have a swift and contested pace with numerous speedy sorts in the mix, which will aid the late-running #9 Five Bars (5-1) for Shug McGaughey. The Stuart Janney homebred overcame adversity in rallying from last to score on Travers Day in her sprint debut, and the move to one mile seems ideal for the youngster. Maxfield filly loses Rosario but inherits Manny Franco. 

#2 Carmel Coast (7-2) led at every call in a fine first-out romp at Saratoga for Whitworth Beckman. By red-hot sire Omaha Beach, the February foal was flattered when the horse that she beat at first asking (#11 Lovely Christina) came back with a relatively easy triumph next time out. The $120,000 yearling purchase will be formidable late if she can secure a sensible trip breaking near the fence with Carmouche. 

Race 9: Oak Leaf S. (G2) (Santa Anita Saturday)

Six ladies will vie in the 1 1/16-mile tilt on the main oval. I’ll give Bob Baffert’s #4 Himika (3-1) another chance following her fourth-place result in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) last time out. The expensive Curlin filly looked too good in her first pair of outings to give up on just yet, and the bay is also bred to thrive at two turns, as well. Mike Smith inherits the ride atop the fine prospect. 

I don’t love her in this particular spot, but Mark Glatt’s #3 La Wally (4-1) was clear in third in the Debutante and has the running style that suggests going long will be to her benefit going forward. Constitution filly will be a late presence with a step in the right direction at a fair price.