2027 Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings, October 14

Oct 14, 2026 Alastair Bull/TwinSpires.com

Emphatic wins the Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)

Week 2: After beginning the Power Rankings for the 2027 Kentucky Derby seven days ago, this week we kick off the 2027 Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings.

As with last year, the number of ranked horses matches the field-size limit for the big race. Therefore, while 20 horses are ranked for the Kentucky Derby, the Oaks rankings are limited to 14.

There are certainly plenty of contenders for the rankings. We’ve had four Grade 1 races for juvenile fillies and two other contests that are part of the official Kentucky Oaks Prep Races, and each of those six races went to different fillies. So it’s fair to say the pecking order is a little confused, more so than for the first 2027 Derby Power Rankings.

We will learn much more after the next two prep races, the Rags to Riches at Churchill Downs Oct. 25, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Oct. 30.

The first Power Rankings for the 2026 Oaks had two fillies that eventually ran on Oaks day itself. It was the same number as for the Derby, though the two that made it to the Oaks – Explora (7.5-1) and Percy’s Bar (5.3-1) – were much better fancied than the pair of initially-ranked males that made it to the Derby, Intrepido (52-1) and Litmus Test (27-1). Punters were fairly correct in their assessments – Explora and Percy’s Bar were just behind the placegetters, while Intrepido and Litmus Test were near the tail of the field.

Any filly that shows a bit of quality, along with potential to stay 1 1/8 miles, is invariably discussed as an Oaks prospect at this time of year, so it’s only fair to assess them.

As mentioned last week, the Power Rankings are a ranking of contenders by opinion. They're based on several factors: ability shown to date, stamina potential, pedigree, and the way a horse races. Official Oaks prep races weigh heavily, but impressive maiden and allowance efforts are also considered; turf races will generally not be considered unless there is a strong reason to do so.

Feel free to disagree with the Power Rankings, which, as for last week, will include each filly’s best Brisnet Speed Rating, and to back your own judgment when Future Wager opportunities arrive.

Kentucky Oaks Power Rankings

1.         Emphatic

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 97

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Emphatic

The Pennsylvania-bred filly is unbeaten in three starts, having won at Colonial Downs and Monmouth Park before leading all the way to upset favored Summer Starlet in the Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland. The pair pulled 17-1/2 lengths clear of the rest, and kept their speed up until the final sixteenth. Emphatic’s pedigree is laced with stamina; she’s by Derby winner Nyquist and her dam, by stamina influence Tiznow, is out of a full sister to champion stallion Tapit, sire of four Belmont Stakes winners. From an Oaks perspective, there’s a lot to like.

2.         Miss Monica

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 102

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Miss Monica

Miss Monica skipped the main California prep last week, the Oak Leaf (G2), but she was so decisive in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) a month earlier that she deserves to be ranked at the head of the West Coast fillies. She’s unproven over distances further than seven furlongs, and though there is more speed in her pedigree than for Emphatic – she’s from the family of Jerkens Memorial (G1) winner Domestic Product – she is by a Preakness winner (Early Voting) out of an American Pharoah mare, which provides some stamina potential. She is likely to meet Emphatic in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Miss Monica wins the Del Mar Debutante at Del Mar Racecourse. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

3.         Summer Starlet

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 99

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Summer Starlet

Won the Spinaway (G1) in such devastating fashion that few thought she would be beaten in the Alcibiades. Ultimately, she was, but she put up a very strong effort after being stepped on from behind during the race, an injury which will keep her out of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. There’s a reasonable amount of stamina in her pedigree, and she saw out 1 1/16 miles well at Keeneland, so she’s obviously a leading candidate for the Oaks.

Summer Starlet wins the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

4.         Dotsy

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 97

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Dotsy

Dotsy has come out of her Finger Lakes base to score twice on New York State's biggest tracks: a maiden victory at Saratoga Aug. 26, and an 11.5-1 upset in the Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park. A lot of her pedigree has excelled at shorter distances than 1 1/8 miles, but she’s already proven she gets a mile decisively, and her sire, Tacitus, was second in the Belmont. An interesting prospect for the Juvenile Fillies and for the Oaks.

Dotsy wins the Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)

5.         Domain Expansion

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 99

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Domain Expansion

Caused a bigger upset than Dotsy did when coming off a second-place finish on turf on debut to win the Oak Leaf at 14/5-1, beating a trio of Baffert-trained fillies with a fantastic turn of foot, which she needed after striking a few traffic issues on the final turn. From the first crop of Speaker’s Corner, who was best up to a mile as a racehorse, but out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare and has already shown she gets 1 1/16 miles easily. It’s not clear how strong the Oak Leaf field was, but she put them away in style.

Domain Expansion wins the Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

6.         Manuka Honey

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 93

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Manuka Honey

Unbeaten in three starts, this $19,000 yearling purchase handled the step up to a mile in grand fashion, winning the Pocahontas (G3), bravely outstaying her opponents despite being under a drive on the final turn. By Upstart, who has already sired one Grade 1 winner at 1 1/8 miles. Remains in work, with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies still a possibility.

Manuka Honey rallied to take the Pocahontas (G3), the opener on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (Photo by Coady Media)

7.         Rum Twist

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 94

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Rum Twist

Has improved as the distances have increased, sticking on well to finish second in the Frizette without ever looking like she would catch Dotsy. She hasn’t recorded an official work since then. From the first crop of Derby winner Mandaloun.

Rum Twist wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

8.         Lexi’s Charm

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 99

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Lexi's Charm

Was expected to run well in a six-furlong Keeneland allowance Oct. 7, but few probably expected her to win by 12 lengths. From the barn of likely champion three-year-old filly Counting Stars, a barn from which three-year-old prospects often improve with racing. Lexi’s Charm is from the second crop of Lexitonian, sire of last year’s Davona Dale (G2) winner She Be Smooth. Stamina could be an issue but looks talented.

Lexi's Charm wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

9.         Mercury Marauder

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 93

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mercury Marauder

Highly impressive in her debut at Belmont Park Oct. 10, cruising just behind the pace before drawing away from her rivals to win. That was over 6 1/2 furlongs, but the Florida-bred looked like she would be happy going a bit further. Might be one to watch.

Mercury Marauder wins at Belmont Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

10.   Revenge of the Sis

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 92

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Revenge of the Sis

Third to subsequent Alcibiades winner Emphatic in stakes company on debut, she then filled the same placing in the Frizette behind Dotsy. On both occasions she rallied from well off the pace. Looks like she’ll be happy to go a longer distance, but she’ll need to keep improving to become a genuine Oaks contender.

11.   Scarlett Begonia

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 91

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Scarlett Begonia

Beat Miss Anna on debut at Ellis Park, and was more narrowly ahead of the same filly when second to Manuka Honey in the Pocahontas S. In between, she’d finished third in the Adirondack (G3) behind subsequent Spinaway fourth-place finisher Stress Relief. She's still recording workouts and listed in some publications as a possible Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies starter.

Scarlett Begonia wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

12.   Holmby

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 97

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Holmby

One of the better fillies in California, the Indiana-bred was good enough to win the Sorrento (G3) at her second start Aug. 9; since then she was a 7-3/4 length third in the Del Mar Debutante behind stable companion Miss Monica and a seven-length second to Domain Expansion in the Oak Leaf. Could prove better over sprint distances.

Holmby wins the Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

13.   Mioruilt

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 86

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Mioruilt

By Good Magic out of a sister to Tapizar, the Chad Brown-trained Mioruilt showed a lot of fight when holding out Badittude on debut at Belmont Park Oct. 7 over a mile, the pair finishing well clear of the rest. It’s a long way from there to the Oaks, but she has the right breeding and stable to get there.

Mioruilt wins at Belmont Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

14.   Jump Seat

Highest Brisnet Speed Rating: 88

TwinSpires Horse Profile: Jump Seat

Daughter of Flightline made a strong impression when stepped up to 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 7, contesting the lead before showing plenty of grit in the last stages to outstay her opponents. Bred by Godolphin and trained by Brad Cox, she has a great team behind her and will be followed with interest.

RELATED: 2027 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Power Rankings