Every year, the day before the Kentucky Derby belongs to the fillies. The Kentucky Oaks is one of thoroughbred racing’s most celebrated events, a Grade 1 race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky that draws some of the best three-year-old fillies in the country. The 152nd running of the Kentucky Oaks takes place on Friday, May 2, 2026, with post time set for 8:40 p.m. ET. The race is run at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt track and carries a purse of $1.5 million.
If you are new to horse racing, or just curious about what all the fuss is about on the Friday of Derby weekend, this guide covers everything you need to know — from what makes the Oaks special to the fillies you should be rooting for.
The Kentucky Oaks is often called the Kentucky Derby for fillies, and that description is not far off. Just like the Derby is the most important race for three-year-old colts, the Oaks is the defining race for three-year-old fillies. To even qualify, a filly has to earn points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks circuit, a series of prep races held throughout the country. Only the top point-earners earn a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
The race has been run since 1875, just one year after the first Kentucky Derby, making it one of the oldest and most storied races in American horse racing. A win here is a career-defining achievement for any filly and her connections.
One of the things that makes Kentucky Oaks day unique is the Pink Friday tradition. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to honor survivors and those lost to breast and ovarian cancer, causes that have long been associated with the race and Churchill Downs. The track is awash in pink each year, giving the day a spirit and energy all its own, distinct from the Derby crowd that fills the same venue the following afternoon. If you are attending in person or just watching from home, embracing the pink theme is part of the experience.
The 2026 edition features a deep field with several legitimate contenders. Here are the fillies you should keep an eye on heading into Friday night.
Zany (4-1, Post 2) — Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Zany enters as the morning-line favorite. She earned her spot with a strong prep campaign and draws a favorable starting gate just off the rail. Pletcher has won the Oaks four previous times, and Zany gives him another strong chance to add a fifth.
Meaning (5-1, Post 5) — Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Meaning leads the field in Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifying points with 126. She won the Santa Anita Oaks and the Las Virgenes Stakes, putting together one of the more impressive prep campaigns in the country. Post 5 gives her a clean trip from the middle of the field, and she will be a serious threat in the stretch.
Explora (6-1, Post 1) — Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, Explora draws the rail but brings strong connections and over $1 million in career earnings. Baffert-trained horses at Churchill Downs command respect, and Prat is among the best big-race riders in the country.
Percy’s Bar (6-1, Post 11) — One of the more compelling stories in the field, Percy’s Bar is trained by Ben Colebrook and ridden by Luan Machado. She enters having already beaten Zany by 2.25 lengths in the Ashland Stakes, a result that makes her the head-to-head form choice over the morning-line favorite. At the same morning-line odds as Explora, she offers genuine value.
Counting Stars (8-1, Post 4) — Trained by Mark Casse, Counting Stars has 100 qualifying points and career earnings approaching $835,000. Post 4 at Churchill Downs has historically produced more Oaks winners than any other gate, which makes her draw worth noting.
Prom Queen (8-1, Post 10) — Trained by Brad Cox, who won this race last year, Prom Queen is the defending trainer’s lone entry in the main field. She is owned by Gary and Mary West and ridden by Javier Castellano, a veteran who excels in Grade 1 spots.
Coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, May 2, on Peacock and NBCSN, with the race itself scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. This year marks the first time the Oaks has been featured in primetime on NBC. If you want to place a wager, most Kentucky sportsbooks carry horse racing markets. Before placing any bet, a betting calculator can help you understand what different odds pay on your stake.
The Kentucky Oaks does not get the same mainstream spotlight as the Derby, but that is part of what makes it special for racing fans. The atmosphere at Churchill Downs on Oaks day is electric and carries a unique energy, especially with the sea of pink that fills the grandstands. The 2026 field is among the most competitive in recent memory, with four fillies priced at 8-1 or better and a legitimate case to be made for multiple contenders at the top of the board. Whether you are a lifelong racing fan or watching for the first time, Friday night at Churchill Downs is not a race you want to miss.
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