Welcome to the new Kentucky Oaks Day. Technically day will fold into night by the time the 152nd running of the Oaks goes to post, set to run in prime time for the first time under the lights at Churchill Downs. A sign of the times and what could loom down the road for the weekend’s main event? Who knows.
What we do know is 13 races are on tap for the marathon day-night session, which starts at 12:30 p.m. ET and runs through the $1.5 million Oaks at 8:40 p.m. Now that’s a day.
The card befits the moment, with seven stakes on the turf and the dirt, long and short, to keep you occupied and hopefully padding the bankroll for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
The 3-year-old fillies take their time in the spotlight – however brief with the behemoth that is the Derby looming in 24 hours’ time – and it’s shaping up to be a stellar renewal. A field of 17 entered and with the defection of Bottle Of Rouge that means the first also-eligible runner, Lovely Grey, draws into the body of the race.
That might not be an enviable spot with the likes of Percy’s Bar and Zany, the 1-2 in the Grade 1 Ashland; Counting Stars and Search Party, 1-2 in the Grade 2 Fantasy; Meaning the Brooklyn Blonde, 1-2 in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks; Prom Queen and My Miss Mo, 1-2 in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks; and Always A Runner and Pashmina, 1-2 in the Grade 3 Gazelle, lurking in the field. And don’t forget Explora, the winner of the Grade 3 Honeybee who might wind up favored; or Bella Ballerina, Godolphin’s half-sister to 2023 Oaks winner and champion Pretty Mischievous who might have been favored if not for a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks.
Like we said, a stellar renewal. Buckle up.
Our nine-member handicapping team returns for another Triple Crown season, which is slightly truncated here at thisishorseracing.com with another four-issue run of The Saratoga Special on tap for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Picks for the Oaks-Derby and Black-Eyed Susan-Preakness will appear online, with the remainder of the classics season handled by our regular Power Grid handicappers in The Special. Interested in The Special for the Belmont? Check out our 2026 brochure and advertising rates.
Alec DiConza led the way last year with 15 winners, including Journalism in the Preakness. Sean Clancy, who tabbed Sovereignty in the Derby and Journalism in the Preakness, finished tied for second with Rob Whitlock at 14 winners. John Shapzian (12) and Charles Bedard (10) came up with double-digit winners, while Tom Law (nine), Joe Clancy (nine), Paul Halloran (nine) and Jessica Paquette (six) completed the field. Here’s hoping they have better luck in 2026.
Here are the stakes picks for Kentucky Oaks Day. Good luck.
Unbridled Sydney Stakes (G2), $500,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 5 ½ furlongs, turf. Post time 3:48 p.m. ET.
The return of Shisospicy. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner – as a 3-year-old filly against older males – originally was set for a Middle East campaign to start the year but an infection scuttled those plans. Now she’s back here on America’s biggest racing weekend and a major player in field of nine. Queen Maxima ships from California and Moon Spun looks to continue Brian Lynch’s strong season.
- John Shapazian: Shisospicy, Haulin Ice, Moon Spun.
- Jessica Paquette: Buttercream Babe, Shisospicy, Maetown.
- Tom: Shisospicy, Shoot It True, Moon Spun.
- Paul Halloran: Shisospicy, Moon Spun, Creed’s Gold
- Alec DiConza: Queen Maxima, Shisospicy, Time To Dazzle.
- Rob Whitlock: Shisospicy, Creed’s Gold, Haulin Ice.
- Joe Clancy: Moon Spun, Shisospicy, Queen Maxima.
- Charles Bedard: Haulin Ice, Shoot It True, Shisospicy.
- Sean Clancy: Shisospicy, Mae Town, Buttercream Babe.
Eight Belles Stakes (G2), $700,000, 3-year-olds, fillies, 7 furlongs. Post time 4:30 p.m.
Goodall and On Time Girl figure to take most of the betting, while Luv Your Neighbor, Sippin Pretty, River Wind, French Friction and Paradise are players. Yes, on Paradise, who shortens back up to sprint after third as favorite in the Gazelle.
- John: Goodall, Sippin Pretty, On Time Gal.
- Jessica: Paradise, Goodall, On Time Girl.
- Tom: Sipping Pretty, Paradise, River Wind.
- Paul: On Time Girl, Luv Your Neighbor, Paradise
- Alec: Goodall, French Friction, On Time Girl.
- Rob: Goodall, Solemn Vow, River Wind.
- Joe: Goodall, On Time Girl, Luv Your Neighbor.
- Charles: Goodall, French Friction, On Time Girl.
- Sean: Sippin Pretty, On Time Girl, Goodall.
Alysheba Stakes (G2), $750,000, 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles. Post time 5:12 p.m.
Last month’s Oaklawn Handicap – featuring White Abarrio, Sovereignty and Journalism – took some of the shine off what could have been a spectacular renewal of this Oaks Day fixture. A strong field remains though, with Baeza set for his first start for Bill Mott and a little more than a week after news that the late Hall of Famer John Shirreffs earned his rightful spot in the Hall of Fame. Tough not to root for him. Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking, Grande, 2-for-2 in his comeback; Tappan Street, off since being dusted in the Pegasus; and Disruptor, winner of the Grade 3 Challenger last time out, are all in the mix.
- John: Skippylongstocking, Nu What’s New, Grande.
- Jessica: Baeza, Grande, Skippylongstocking.
- Tom: Baeza, Disruptor, Grande.
- Paul: Baeza, East Avenue, Tappan Street
- Alec: Skippylongstocking, Disruptor, Baeza.
- Rob: Baeza, Skippylongstocking, Disruptor.
- Joe: Grande, Skippylongstocking, Baeza.
- Charles: Baeza, Corporate Power, Navajo Warrior.
- Sean: Baeza, Skippylongstocking, Grande.
Modesty Stakes (G3), $500,000, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares 1 1/8 miles, turf. Post time 6:01 p.m.
Chad Brown sends out three, including last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Gezora. She’s 4-5 for her new barn, which took over shortly after the Breeders’ Cup as planned. Stablemates Whiskey Decision and Kathrynmarissa are no slouches, nor are Proctor Street and Pin Up Betty.
- John: Gezora, Whiskey Decision, Stylish Sue.
- Jessica: Proctor Street, Gezora, Dona Clota.
- Tom: Gezora, Proctor Street, Whiskey Decision.
- Paul: Gezora, Whiskey Decision, Proctor Street
- Alec: Gezora, Proctor Street, Whiskey Decision.
- Rob: Gezora, Whiskey Decision, Pin Up Betty.
- Joe: Gezora, Proctor Street, Whiskey Decision.
- Charles: Pin Up Betty, Gezora, Adrasteia.
- Sean: Gezora, Proctor Street, Whiskey Decision.
Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes (G1), $1 million, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 1 1/16 miles. Post time 6:56 p.m.
Fully Subscribed capped her sophomore season with back-to-back wins including the Grade 3 Comely and gets started on her 2026 campaign here against Shred The Gnar, who is 2-for-2 Churchill; Dry Powder, runner-up in the Grade 1 Cotillion and a winner last time out at Gulfstream; last-out stakes winners Chasten and Scalable, and Grade 1 Beholder Mile runner-up Bless The Broken.
- John: Scalable, Shred The Gnar, Chaston.
- Jessica: Chasten, Scalable, Fully Subscribed.
- Tom: Shred The Gnar, Chasten, Fully Subscribed.
- Paul: Fully Subscribed, Bless The Broken, Drexel Hill
- Alec: Bless The Broken, Shred The Gnar, Fully Subscribed.
- Rob: Shred The Gnar, Fully Subscribed, Chasten.
- Joe: Bless The Broken, Fully Subscribed, Chasten.
- Charles: Fully Subscribed, Nerazzuri, Drexel Hill.
- Sean: Bless The Broken, Fully Subscribed, Chasten.
Edgewood Stakes (G2), $600,000, 3-year-olds, fillies, 1 1/16 miles. Post time 7:40 p.m.
The first four past the finish in last month’s Grade 2 Appalachian – Storm’s Wake, Imaginationthelady, Lion Lake and Just Aloof – return here against the likes of Florida Oaks 1-2 Dandona and Time To Dream, 2-for-2 Indigo Woods and Bourbonette Oaks winner Lorelei Lee. Cash here and you might get paid.
- John: Just Aloof, Tam Tam, Dandona.
- Jessica: Lion Lake, Just Aloof, Dandona.
- Tom Law: Imaginationthelady, Just Aloof, Time To Dream.
- Paul: Time To Dream, Lion Lake, Imaginationthelady
- Alec: Imaginationthelady, Storm’s Wake, Just Aloof.
- Rob: Tam Tam, Dandona, Time To Dream.
- Joe: Lion Lake, Storm’s Wake, Just Aloof.
- Charles: Storm’s Wake, Imaginationthelady, Time To Dream.
- Sean: Imaginationthelady, Just Aloof, Tam Tam.
Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), $1.5 million, 3-year-olds, fillies, 1 1/8 miles. Post time 8:40 p.m.
The Friday main event and a clash of stars from all parts of the country. Percy’s Bar upset odds-on favorite Zany last time out in the Grade 1 Ashland and those two figure to vie for favoritism, along with Honeybee winner Explora for trainer Bob Baffert. Counting Stars comes off powerful win last time in the Fantasy and she won her debut at Churchill last fall for trainer Mark Casse. Plenty of other top-tier contenders that might wind up decent prices on the board, including Always A Runner, Prom Queen and Bella Ballerina. Shop around.
- John: Always A Runner, Zany, Counting Stars.
- Jessica: Zany, Always A Runner, Percy’s Bar.
- Tom: Percy’s Bar, Explora, Always A Runner.
- Paul: Always A Runner, Percy’s Bar, Zany.
- Alec: Percy’s Bar, Prom Queen, Zany.
- Rob: Meaning, Zany, Explora.
- Joe: Percy’s Bar, Always A Runner, Meaning.
- Charles: Explora, Counting Stars, Percy’s Bar.
- Sean: Meaning, Always A Runner, Percy’s Bar.
