2026 Kentucky Oaks Prep Races

Race Events > Kentucky Oaks > Prep Races

As the premiere event for three-year-old fillies in the spring, the Kentucky Oaks carries plenty of prestige and a lucrative payday (at least $600,000 to the winner) for connections. The 1 1/8-mile race can be oversubscribed as a result, with only 14 runners allowed in the starting gate. Churchill Downs instituted a new format in 2013 to determine eligibility with a Road to the Kentucky Oaks points system and schedule.

Called the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series, points are awarded on a sliding scale to the top 5 finishers in designated prep races. The Oaks Road typically kicks off with the Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs and continues through early April with events at some of the countries best race courses, including Santa Anita, Aqueduct, Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs

These prep races are divided into four categories – the Kentucky Oaks Early & Late Prep Season and Kentucky Oaks Early & Late Championship Series. The Prep Season runs through March 2nd, with the early season awarding points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to the top four respective finishers, and the late season awarding points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. The only exception is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies which awards 30-15-9-6-3.

The Early Championship Series begins in February and features seven races offering 50-25-15-10-5 points. The Late Championship Series features six major races, each awarding 100-50-30-20-10 to the top 4 finishers.

List of 2026 Road to the Kentucky Oaks Prep Races

Road to the Kentucky Oaks Championship Series of Prep Races