Oaks News

The Davona Dale (G2) is named after the 1979 Kentucky Oaks (G1) champion, one of the Hall of Famers for historic Calumet Farm. So it was fitting that Calumet's She Be Smooth delivered a breakout performance in this spot.

This week’s prep races figured to have limited impact on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks Power Rankings. In the end, it arguably had even less relevance than may have been imagined.

Bonne Chance Farm’s Resplendence went gate-to-wire for an 11-1 upset victory in Friday night’s 44th running of the $174,800 Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.

It says a bit about the open nature of this year’s Kentucky Derby picture that the top individual still doesn’t hold favoritism in Pool 4 of the Future Wager.

On Saturday at Fair Grounds, Paladin and Bella Ballerina bolstered their credentials as 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders with hard-fought triumphs in the Risen Star (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2).

It was an exciting week for Kentucky Oaks contenders, as the three top horses on the Power Rankings all raced. The results have seen a bit of a shake-up; all three remain highly placed, but some others have forced their way up as well.

The Michael McCarthy-trained Meaning reframed the Kentucky Oaks (G1) picture in Sunday’s $98,000 Las Virgenes S. at Santa Anita.

Odds-on favorite Zany was much the best in Saturday’s $100,000 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs, despite early traffic and her own antics down the stretch.

About an hour before the big game on Sunday, there’s a different kind of super showdown between leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders at Santa Anita.

Ted Noffey’s withdrawal wasn’t the only drama in the week. We were scheduled to have three Derby preps and two Oaks preps this weekend, but the weather-related cancellations meant we ended up with only one for each.