The Grade 3 Santa Ysabel was the lone Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep race last week and Forced Entry tracked the pace and smartly scored by 1 3/4 lengths. In this report, I will recap the Santa Ysabel, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.
I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 24 points races, my top choices have 12 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs on Saturday, March 14.
Virginia Oaks field (race 8 at Colonial Downs on March 14): 1 – Dazzling Dame, 2 – Hit Parade, 3 – Bottle of Rouge, 4 – Kadabra, 5 – Somemunny to Love, 6 – Baffle.
The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will be held later this week on March 13, 14, 15.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Santa Ysabel at Santa Anita Park (8.5f): Race favorite Super Corredora figured to impact the pace but she threw her head at the start and was never a factor. French Blue made the running and My Love Caroline chased from second. Forced Entry stalked while out in the clear and Bank Shot chased inside. French Blue continued to show the way though six panels but her stablemate Forced Entry ($7.60) turned up the heat, and the latter took the lead in the stretch and turned away Bank Shot to win by 1 3/4 lengths (82 BSF). Bank Shot was a clear second and French Blue was best of the rest in third. Piney Woods was an even fourth and Cee Drew, Super Coredora, and My Love Caroline trailed. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert. Fractions: 23.34, 47.57, 1:12.18, 1:38.00, 1:44.79.
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 – Winner: Hit Parade ($6.60)
Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 3 – Winner: Dazzling Dame ($6.24)
Santa Ynez (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 10 – Winner: Explora ($2.10)
Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 17 – Winner: Taken by the Wind ($10.80)
Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 31 – Winner: On Time Girl ($4.20)
Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 6 – Winner: Search Party ($10.20)
Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 7 – Winner: Zany ($2.40)
Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8 – Winner: Meaning ($7.80)
Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 14 – Bella Ballerina ($3.60)
Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 15 – Bottle of Rouge ($2.80)
Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 20 – Winner: Resplendence ($25.42)
UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 21 – Winner: Labwah
Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: Paradise ($4.72)
Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: She Be Smooth ($13.60)
Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Explora ($4.00)
Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8 – Forced Entry ($7.60)
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 3-9-26):
Explora (95 points)
Bella Ballerina (60 points)
Labwah (50 points)
She Be Smooth (50 points)
Forced Entry (50 points)
Luv Your Neighbor (40 points)
Paradise (37.5 points)
On Time Girl (35 points)
Super Corredora (34 points)
Bank Shot (31 points)
Taken by the Wind (30 points)
Search Party (30 points)
Zany (30 points)
Meaning (26 points)
Counting Stars (25 points)
My Miss Mo (25 points)
Dazzling Dame (22 points)
Life of Joy (22 points)
Sneaky Good (21 points)
Bottle of Rouge (20 points)
Jarrod Horak’s Fabulous Five Kentucky Oaks 2026 Contenders (3-9-26)
#1 – BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense – Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: She returned a faster filly when coming again to take the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14 (84 BSF). She has worked twice since her last start including a 5f move in 1:00.60 (5/21) at the Fair Grounds on March 6. She goes next in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks on March 21.
#2 – ZANY (American Pharoah – Mo’ Green, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: This 3-for-3 filly already has a graded stakes win at a mile and an eighth (G2 Demoiselle). She started her sophomore campaign with a win as the favorite in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7 (81 BSF). She has breezed twice since her last outing including a half-mile move in 49.19 (2/4) at Palm Beach Downs on March 5. The Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on April 3 is her next scheduled race.
#3 – MEANING (Gun Runner – Figure of Speech, by Into Mischief) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: She returned running in the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita on Feb. 8 (79 BSF), and runner-up Explora roared back to take the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn on March 1. She has worked three times since her last start including a 5f move in 1:00.60 (14/78) at Santa Anita on March 8. Her connections took a pass on the Santa Ysabel, and she might run next in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) on April 4.
#4 – EXPLORA (Blame – Collections Choice, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: Bob Baffert’s versatile filly sure is consistent. She was part of the exacta in all seven starts, and the three-time stakes winner got back on the winning track in the Honeybee (G3) at Oaklawn on March 1 (88 BSF). She probably goes next in the Grade 2, $1 million Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn on March 27.
#5 – SHE BE SMOOTH (Lexitonian – Seattle Smooth, by Quiet American) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: She looked good going last-to-first in the Davona Dale (G2) at one mile (one turn) Feb. 28 (91 BSF). The Grade 2 GP Oaks on March 28 might be her next assignment.
Next Nine: (6) Counting Stars, (7) Search Party, (8) Dazzling Dame, (9) Bottle of Rouge, (10) Forced Entry, (11) Luv Your Neighbor, (12) Life of Joy, (13) On Time Girl, (14) Paradise
