Tommy Jo headlines big week of Kentucky Oaks qualifiers

Sep 30, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Tommy Jo wins the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

A trio of prep races on the 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Oaks are taking place this week at racetracks across the United States.

The three races award 21 Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualification points apiece, with the top five finishers receiving 10-5-3-2-1 points, respectively.

Alcibiades (G1)

The action gets underway on Friday with the running of the 1 1/16-mile $650,000 Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland. The heavy favorite is Tommy Jo, who hasn’t been challenged in two starts. She exits a 6 1/2-length romp in the Spinaway (G1) and has a strong chance to secure her second straight Grade 1 win.

Tommy Jo stays perfect in the G1 Spinaway at Saratoga! @kendrickcarmou1 was aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher and @spendthriftfarm! 🌟✨ pic.twitter.com/na2YIzGyp8

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 30, 2025

Only five fillies will oppose Tommy Jo. Spinaway runner-up Percy’s Bar is back for a rematch. Go to Girl and The Grumpy Rabbit enter off maiden wins at Ellis Park. Haute Diva prepped with a decisive maiden win on turf at Gulfstream Park, while Wonzee Weather is switching to dirt after finishing eighth and third in her first two starts on turf.

Frizette (G1)

On Saturday, Aqueduct is hosting the $400,000 Frizette (G1). The one-mile race attracted a large 11-horse field, including Rileytole, the third-place finisher from the Spinaway. Ellis Park Debutante S. conqueror Chopsticks and Seeking the Ante S. winner Iron Orchard are other proven stakes competitors in the entries.

But the Frizette also contains many up-and-coming fillies with appealing credentials. Carmel Coast, Rina’s Revenge, Five Bars, Steer Clear, and Lovely Christina all impressed while scoring maiden victories at Saratoga, while Secane romped by 7 3/4 lengths in her debut at Gulfstream Park.

Icecreamforevryone and Jetty’s Home, who ran well without winning in Saratoga maiden races, complete the lineup.

Oak Leaf (G2)

The final Kentucky Oaks qualifier of the week is the $200,000 Oak Leaf (G2) at Santa Anita. Half a dozen fillies have entered the 1 1/16-mile race, including Explora and La Wally, who were separated by half a length when finishing second and third in the Del Mar Debutante (G1).

Himika, winner of the Sorrento (G3) during the summer at Del Mar, will seek to rebound from a distant fourth-place finish in the Del Mar Debutante. Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S. fifth-place finisher La Ville Lumiere is another entrant with experience competing at the stakes level.

Rounding out the field are Heaven’s Bolt and Banzai Betty, who finished a neck apart when first and second in a Del Mar maiden special weight.