Oaks News

This weekend sees Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. By now, most of the likely runners are exposed, which is reflected in the relatively long 12-1 odds for the “all other three-year-olds” option. Not surprisingly, only one horse on this week’s...

The connections of Road to the Kentucky Oaks leader Explora - Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman along with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert - now have another contender in Forced Entry.

Super Corredora, the reigning champion juvenile filly, will attempt to get her Kentucky Oaks (G1) prospects back on track Sunday in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel (G3) at Santa Anita.

Several newcomers appeared in the Derby Power Rankings, while one horse in the lower reaches charged a long way up the board. Along the way, some names that have been on the list from the start have dropped off.

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.