Kentucky Oaks 2026: Ranking the field 1st to last

The Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks has six fewer horses than the Kentucky Derby, but this year's edition of the run for the lilies might be just as competitive as the run for the roses.

Both races feature the combination of Todd Pletcher, Mike Repole and Irad Ortiz Jr. as the lukewarm 4-1 morning-line favorite. Unlike the Kentucky Derby favorite, Renegade, Zany enters the Kentucky Oaks fresh off a defeat. She is the only filly in the Oaks field under 10-1 on the morning line who did not win her final Oaks prep.

It would be no surprise to see Zany emerge victorious, but with as many as six fillies in this race with the credentials to win, one could not be faulted for searching for a better price. Below I analyze all 14 runners in the 2026 Kentucky Oaks, ranking them from first to last.

1st, Meaning (5-1). Michael McCarthy has always been high on this filly and it is easy to see why. He entered her in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) off of just one start at Los Alamitos. He also chose to bring her back for her first start as a 3-year-old against the first- and second-place finishers from the Breeders' Cup. She keeps proving his confidence right with three career wins and a solid fourth when suffering a rough trip in the Breeders' Cup. She beat Explora on the square in February and continues to get better and better in every start. She would be 2-1 if she had faster Beyer Speed Figures, but she passes the eye test and runs as fast as she needs to each time to get the job done. 

2nd, Prom Queen (8-1). The upside this filly possesses might be second to none in this field. She will make only her fourth career start in the Kentucky Oaks and has improved in every race. With a Beyer Speed Figure pattern of 73 to 83 to 90, it would be no surprise to see take the next jump up to reach this level. She was shuffled to last in her maiden win and still drew off to win emphatically. She was tracking a horse on a lone lead last time and ran her down. This is a step up in class, but she has shown the ability and stamina to handle it.

3rd, Zany (4-1). The daughter of American Pharoah was visually impressive in her first three career wins, including an easy score over subsequent Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Life of Joy. She was not at her best in the Ashland Stakes (G1) last time, but she had no pace to run at that day and Percy's Bar got a fantastic ride up the rail. She should appreciate more distance and more pace competition and certainly will be running late with a chance to run run them all down. 

4th, Explora (6-1). The Bob Baffert trainee never has been worse than second in seven career starts. She always bring an honest effort and has held her own repeatedly with the best of this crop. I love her work pattern coming in to this race as Baffert tightened the screws with that seven-furlong drill. She is at her best when she can use her tactical speed to sit just off of the speed, but she might not be able to get that ideal trip from the rail draw.

5th, Percy's Bar (6-1). This daughter of Upstart's career has been defined by the trips she has encountered. She was best in the Alcibiades Stakes (G2) but took a sharp turn into the runner-up and was disqualified. She suffered a poor trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) when being bumped around in the stretch. Last out in the Ashland Stakes (G1), she got a dream run up the rail and capitalized with a sharp win over Zany. No matter what type of trip she encounters on Friday, it would be no surprise to see her squarely in the mix. 

6th, Counting Stars (8-1). The Mark Casse trainee is tough to evaluate. She has four romping wins, including the Fantasy Stakes (G2) in which she earned the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field. She also has two poor efforts and one solid runner-up finish to Explora. In a field full of consistent runners, she does not always bring her best, but when she does she appears to be as good as any filly in this crop. 

7th, Bella Ballerina (12-1). This daughter of Street Sense offers nice value at 12-1 after going off at even money and 4-5 in her final two preps. She might appreciate removing blinkers and already has a win over this track. Her tactical speed should put her in a nice spot, and she could sneak into the bottom of exotic wagers. She was defeated handily by Life of Joy last out and might need slightly softer competition to get back in the win column.

8th, Brooklyn Blonde (30-1). It took this pricey daughter of Gun Runner a couple starts to get going, but Michael McCarthy's second filly in this race has improved with added distance. She has the style to sit a nice trip and held her own against Meaning in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) when more than 13 lengths clear of the third-place finisher. She appears to be a notch below the best of this crop at this stage but is headed in the right direction.

9th, Always a Runner (10-1). It was impressive to see this well-bred runner notch a stakes win in only her second career start. She gives up much seasoning to many of her rivals and has yet to face a horse close to the caliber of the top choices. She has a bright future but might be diving into the deep end of the pool a bit too soon. 

10th, Search Party (30-1). The Martha Washington Stakes winner has proven to be a cut below the serious contenders after defeats to Explora and Counting Stars in consecutive races. She consistently runs about the same Beyer Speed Figure and would have to improve by another 10 points all of a sudden to factor. 

11th, Pashmina (30-1). This filly opened up a clear lead in the Gazelle Stakes (G3) but was no match for Always a Runner late. Before that effort she was well beaten by Bottle of Rouge at Sunland Park. Bottle of Rouge did not look like a main contender in this race before being withdrawn. I like Pashmina's versatile running style but would be surprised to see her contend. 

12th, My Miss Mo (20-1). The daughter of Uncle Mo ran the best race of her career last out in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), but she could not possibly have had things any easier when securing a clear lead on a slow pace from an inside draw. She was no match for Prom Queen under those ideal circumstances, and it is hard to imagine a better effort while facing more adversity.  

13th, Lovely Grey (30-1). This is a tough spot for a filly making only her second career dirt start. Her first try on the dirt was poor, but in her defense it came sprinting on a sloppy track in her debut. She is likely better than that form, but even if she runs as well on dirt as she does synthetic, she has many lengths to make up on the top contenders. 

14th, Dazzling Dame (30-1). This filly figures to be a pace casualty as she may make a contested lead before tiring. She is at her best when she is able to secure an easy lead in short fields, but she will have plenty of pressure from the start as she seeks her first graded-stakes win.