Kentucky Oaks Picks – Horse Racing Odds, Betting Preview, and Predictions (May 1)
- When: Friday, May 1, 2026 @ 8:40 PM ET
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville
- How to Watch: NBC/Peacock/FanDuel TV
The eyes of the world will be on Churchill Downs this weekend, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby set for Saturday. However, before the colts are in action, all of the focus will be on the fillies, with the Kentucky Oaks being staged on May 1. Find the odds and our picks for the Lillies for the Fillies here.
Kentucky Oaks Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Meaning (5) | +275 |
| Zany (2) | +375 |
| Percy’s Bar (11) | +500 |
| Counting Stars (4) | +700 |
| Prom Queen (10) | +700 |
| Always a Runner (9) | +800 |
| Explora (1) | +900 |
| Bella Ballerina (12) | +1100 |
| Search Party (3) | +3300 |
| Lovely Grey (15) | +4000 |
| Brooklyn Blonde (14) | +5000 |
| My Miss Mo (6) | +6600 |
| Pashmina (13) | +6600 |
| Dazzling Dame (7) | +8000 |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/8 Miles |
| Purse | $1,500,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | D. Wayne Lukas, Woody Stephens (5) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Manuel Ycaza, Eddie Arcaro (4) |
ALSO SEE: Kentucky Derby Cheat Sheet: Runner-by-Runner Guide & Odds
Kentucky Oaks: Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good Cheer | Luis Saez | Brad Cox |
| 2024 | Thorpedo Anna | Brian Hernandez | Kenny McPeek |
| 2023 | Pretty Mischievous | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan Walsh |
| 2022 | Secret Oath | Luis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas |
| 2021 | Malathaat | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher |
Race Preview
One of the most competitive renewals of the Kentucky Oaks in recent memory is set for Friday, with a high-quality field set to go to post in their bid to join the legendary roll of honor.
Michael McCarthy-trained Meaning heads the betting at this stage, with the talented daughter of Gun Runner having won impressively on back-to-back starts in 2026. After getting the better of Explora on seasonal return, she took her form to the next level by beating Brooklyn Blonde by two lengths in the G2 Santa Anita Oaks.
Explora could be capable of reversing that form. The Bob Baffert runner has won three stakes races, and is yet to finish outside of the first two on seven career starts. She bounced back to her best last time when landing the G3 Honeybee by just under a length from Counting Stars.
Todd Pletcher’s Zany has been one of the big talking horses in the build-up to the Oaks, but the daughter of American Pharoah has a low draw to contend with. She was last seen losing her perfect record under rules when beaten two lengths by Percy’s Bar in the G1 Ashland.
Always A Runner is one of the most fascinating contender for Chad Brown. The three-year-old by Gun Runner was a dominant winner over a mile at Tampa Bay Downs on return, before making her mark in stakes company last time when besting Pashmina in the G3 Gazelle. Open to more improvement than most.
Prom Queen represents the Brad Cox yard, and she is interesting on her first start away from Gulfstream Park after recently landing the G3 Gulfstream Park Oaks. Bella Ballerina should also be considered. She is closely related to former Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous, but will need to respond after recently taking second in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks.
Kentucky Oaks Picks
Percy’s Bar ticks plenty of the right boxes this weekend, and the stalker is likely to get the red-hot pace she requires to land the Oaks. The three-year-old was disqualified in last year’s G1 Darley Alcibiades, before running a credible third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Bounced back looking better than ever on seasonal return, besting Zany in the stretch to win by just under three lengths. A repeat of that run will see her go very close, and the pace of the race undeniably suits her chances.
Free Pick:
