The road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 is in full swing. Nine Oaks points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the points races, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.
I cover all of the Oaks points races on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first nine Oaks preps, my top choices have three wins, three runner-up finishes, and three show finishes. The next Oaks points race is the Untapable Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 20.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs (9-13-25): We are officially back on the Oaks trail. Taken by the Wind ($14.10) stalked from fourth, hit the front, and won by 5 1/4 lengths over post time favorite Miss Complicated. The latter sat in 5th and closed for the place but was no match for the winner. Joke Maker (3rd), Dazzling Dame (4th), Our Two Girls (5th), Embrace the Moment (6th), and Starlit Sky (7th) rounded out the order of finish in the first Oaks 2026 points race. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode the winner for Ken McPeek. Fractions: 22.75, 45.57, 1:10.48, 1:23.43, 1:36.50.
Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland (10-3-25): Percy’s Bar set the pace and kept on going, and she crossed the line 2 3/4 lengths in front of race favorite Tommy Jo, but the inquiry sign was flashing and the order of finish was reversed. Tommy Jo ($2.88) was placed first through disqualification for John Velazquez and Todd Pletcher. Percy’s Bar bumped Tommy Jo but the latter did not seem to be making a dent on the leader when the incident happened. The Grumpy Rabbit (3rd), Go to Girl (4th), Wonzee Weather (5th), Haute Diva (6th) completed the order of finish. Fractions: 23.13, 46.90, 1:11.52, 1:37.47, 1:44.69.
Grade 1 Frizette at Aqueduct (10-4-25): This one came down to stalker Rileytole and patient runner Iron Orchard ($6.90), and the latter got up in the final stride to prevail by a nose. Rileytole ran too good to lose and was 4 lengths clear of show finisher Five Bars. Steer Clear (4th), Lovely Christina (5th), Carmel Coast (6th), Jetty’s Home (7th), Rina’s Revenge (8th), Chopsticks (9th), and Icecreamforeveryone (pulled up) also ran. Joel Rosario rode the winner for Danny Gargan. Fractions: 22.49, 44.84, 1:09.25, 1:22.59, 1:35.97.
Grade 2 Oak Leaf at Santa Anita (10-4-25): Strong favorite Explora ($2.80) was much the best for Juan Hernandez and Bob Baffert. She stalked the pace from the outside post, took over, and won by 4 1/4 lengths. La Wally rallied for the place and La Ville Lumiere was a clear third. Banzai Betty, Himika, and Heaven’s Bolt (eased, walked off) completed the order of finish. Explora got an 83 BSF. Fractions: 23.14, 46.98, 1:11.56, 1:37.39, 1:44.13.
Rags to Riches at Churchill Downs (10-26-25): Life of Joy ($3.68) followed up a romping debut win at Horseshoe Indy with a stalking victory by 2 1/4 lengths in this event. The Grumpy Rabbit set the pace and was no match for the winner in the stretch, and she was 3 1/2 lengths clear of show finisher Go to Girl. America the Great (4th), Tearin’up My Heart (5th), and Josie Joe (6th) also ran. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode the winner for Brad Cox. Fractions: 25.15, 49.86, 1:14.44, 1:39.50, 1:45.76.
Grade 1 BC Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar (10-31-25): This was a 2-horse race from the outset. Race favorite Explora had a sharp beginning but Super Corredora was intent on the lead and the chalk backed off and tracked the pace. Super Corredora ($19.60) stayed on top throughout and beat Explora by 3/4ths of a length. The latter saved ground, came after the leader, and was clearly second best. Percy’s Bar (bumped) rallied for the show and just edged Meaning. Tommy Jo made a wide move and flattened out, and Bottle of Rouge, La Ville Lumiere, La Wally, and Iron Orchard (distanced, walked off) also ran. Hector Berrios rode the last-out maiden winner for John Sadler. Fractions: 22.42, 45.63, 1:10.15, 1:36.58, 1:43.71.
Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs (11-29-25): Letmecounttheways ran off early and Bella Ballerina ($10.28) chased from second, took over, and held on to win by a half-length over Atropa. Just Singing rallied to finish a clear third. Life of Joy (4th), Letmecounttheways (5th), Vita Mia (6th), Baracca (7th), Coco Connect (8th), Raspberry (9th), and Essential Coffee (lost rider) also ran. Tyler Gaffalione rode the winner for Brendan Walsh and she earned a 79 BSF. Fractions: 23.45, 46.31, 1:11.19, 1:36.67, 1:43.50.
Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct (12-6-25): Shilling set the pace but she was not match for Zany ($3.50). The latter chased from second, took over when asked, and ran away to win by 8 1/2 lengths as the favorite. Jumping the Gun stalked from the inside pace and edged Concurrently by a neck for the place. Shilling (4th), Believable (5th), and Ivy Girl (6th) also ran. John Velazquez rode the winner for Todd Pletcher and the final time (89 BSF) was faster than the G2 Remsen. Fractions: 24.05, 48.16, 1:12.46, 1:37.69, 1:50.55.
Grade 2 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos (12-6-25): Cashed and strong favorite Nimah dueled on the lead, and Consequent ($7.60) sat in third under Kazushi Kimura, came after the embattled leaders in the stretch, and got up late to win by a length. Cashed was second best and Nimah was 14 lengths clear of Cosmic Heat and Jewlz. Bob Baffert saddled the winner of this race from 2017-2025. This was not a fast race (67 BSF). Fractions: 23.52, 48.01, 1:12.46, 1:37.49, 1:44.03.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Results
Pocahontas (10-5-3-2-1) – Sep. 13 – Winner: Taken by the Wind ($14.10)
Alcibiades (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 3 – Winner: Tommy Jo ($2.88)
Frizette (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Iron Orchard ($6.90)
Oak Leaf (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Explora ($2.80)
Rags to Riches (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 26 – Winner: Life of Joy ($3.68)
BC Juvenile Fillies (30-15-9-6-3) – Oct. 31 – Winner: Super Corredora ($19.60)
Golden Rod (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 29 – Winner: Bella Ballerina ($10.28)
Demoiselle (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Zany ($3.50)
Starlet (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Consequent ($7.60)
Untapable (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 20
Sant Ynez (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 3
Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 3
Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 17
Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 31
Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 31
Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1
Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 7
Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 14
Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 15
Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 20
UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 21
Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28
Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28
Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Virginia Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 14
Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 21
FG Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 21
Fantasy (100-50-25-15-10) – March 27
GP Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28
Ashland (100-50-25-15-10) – April 3
Gazelle (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4
SA Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4
Top 20 Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Leaders (thru 12-14-25):
Super Corredora (30 points)
Explora (25 points)
Percy’s Bar (14 points)
Tommy Jo (13 points)
Life of Joy (12 points)
Iron Orchard (10 points)
Bella Ballerina (10 points)
Zany (10 points)
Taken by the Wind (10 points)
Consequent (10 points)
The Grumpy Rabbit (8 points)
Meaning (6 points)
Rileytole (5 points)
Jumping the Gun (5 points)
La Wally (5 points)
Atropa (5 points)
Miss Complicated (5 points)
Go to Girl (5 points)
Cashed (5 points)
La Ville Lumiere (3 points)
Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2026 Contenders (12-14-25)
#1 – BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense – Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Comments: She was the favorite in her 6f bow at KEE on Oct. 5 and she rallied and kicked away in a good effort, and the runner-up was a next-out winner. I made her my top choice in the G2 Golden Rod at CD on Nov. 29 and she chased runaway early leader Letmecounttheeways, reeled that one in and opened up, and idled in the stretch and held off Atropa to win by a half-length. Her older sister Pretty Mischievous won the G1 Kentucky Oaks in 2023 after wintering in New Orleans, and this promising filly is expected to follow a similar path.
#2 – ZANY (American Pharoah – Mo’ Green, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Comments: Followed up a facile dirt sprint maiden win at GP on Nov. 2 with another romp in the G2 Demoiselle at 9f on Dec. 6. Her final time was faster than the G2 Remsen on the same card and the $350k early-pressing filly looks like a good one. Pletcher has won the Kentucky Oaks four times and she is expected to run twice next year prior to the Oaks with the G1 Ashland at KEE her final planned Oaks prep. She might follow the Nest prep race path. That talented filly (also Pletcher) won the Demoiselle to end her juvenile campaign in 2021, and she captured the Suncoast and Ashland prior to landing the place in the 2022 Kentucky Oaks.
#3 – SUPER CORREDORA (Gun Runner – Super Simple, by Super Saver) – Trainer: John Sadler
Comments: This one stretched out and wired the field by 8+ lengths in a flat mile maiden race at SA on Oct. 11, and she returned in 20-days and went all the way again in the G1 BC Juvenile Fillies at DMR. She dug in and turned away race favorite Explora in the BC. She drilled a 3f bullet in 34.60 (1/9) at SA on Dec. 12 and might make her first start next year in the G3 Las Virgenes at SA on Feb. 1. Her BC win will probably earn her the 2-year-old filly title.
#4 – ATROPA (Into Mischief – Bellera, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Comments: She stretched out and romped by 10 lengths at KEE second time out and the runner-up was a next-out winner. She raced wide and rallied from midpack to finish a half-length behind Bella Ballerina in the G2 Golden Rod on Nov. 29. She is wintering at Fair Grounds and is expected to make her first start as a 3-year-old in the Silverbulletday Stakes on Jan. 17.
#5 – COPPER WIND (Gun Runner – Copper Quest, by Lemon Drop Kid) – Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Comments: She ran a solid race at 8-1 odds in her 6f bow at FG (Nov. 20). She chased front running favorite Quick Kiss and wore that one down in the stretch to score by 1 3/4 lengths. She is a daughter of multiple G1 winner Gun Runner (Steve Asmussen), and her dam Copper Quest is a half-sister to G2 Saratoga Special winner Copper Bullet (Steve Asmussen). Since her winning debut, she breezed 4f in 52.80 (46/49) on Nov. 30, and she went 5f in 1:01.80 (5/13) on Dec. 8.
