The highly anticipated 2026 Kentucky Oaks odds are finally available, and the opening prices suggest we’re in for a highly competitive race. With no clear standout at the top of the board, the stage is set for a thrilling battle down the stretch.
Continue reading for the latest futures odds, in-depth analysis of the top contenders, and my Kentucky Oaks predictions.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Winner Odds and Post Positions
The following Kentucky Oaks odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel:
| HORSE (POST POSITION) | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Zany (2) | +275 |
| Meaning (5) | +500 |
| Percy’s Bar (11) | +500 |
| Always A Runner (9) | +550 |
| Prom Queen (10) | +600 |
| Explora (1) | +650 |
| Counting Stars (4) | +900 |
| Search Party (3) | +2800 |
| Brooklyn Blonde (14) | +3500 |
| Pashmina (13) | +5000 |
| Lovely Grey (15) | +5000 |
| Dazzling Dame (7) | +5000 |
| Resist (17) | +8000 |
According to the best horse racing betting sites, Zany (+275) and Meaning (+500) were co-favorites to win the 152nd Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs at the start of the week. But Zany has moved ahead to have a 26.7% implied probability, up from 22.2%. Meaning has moved down to 16.7%, alongside Percy’s Bar (+500).
Always A Runner (+550), Prom Queen (+600), and Explora (+650) are right behind Percy’s Bar and Meaning as of Friday afternoon.
Counting Stars follows at +900 with an 10% shot. From there, the odds drift to +2800 or longer for the rest of the field. It should be noted that Bella Ballerina, Battle of Rouge, and My Miss Mo, were scratched from the field.
You can find up-to-date Kentucky Oaks 2026 betting odds at Lucky Rebel by navigating to All Sports > Horse Futures & Props > Kentucky Oaks. The bookmaker also offers odds on the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Format & Key Info
The Kentucky Oaks (G1) is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026. Post time for the 1 ⅛ mile race on the dirt is set for 8:40 p.m. ET, which is three hours later than the traditional time. The race can be watched live on NBC and Peacock.
The Grade 1 event features 14 of the best fillies in the world vying for a $1.5 million purse. Dubbed the “Lillies for the Fillies”, the Kentucky Oaks is open to three-year-old fillies (females).
The competition is held annually, the day before the Kentucky Derby. The 2026 edition of the Kentucky Oaks is the 152nd running of the event.
152nd Kentucky Oaks Betting Favorites
The Kentucky Oaks 2026 odds point to two clear contenders and another horse just behind them in the starting gate on Friday! Let’s handicap the top runners before evaluating my Kentucky Oaks best bets:
Zany (+275)
The No. 2 horse Zany enters the Kentucky Oaks held in high regard. Todd Pletcher’s filly has gotten off to a strong start in her promising career. She opened with three straight victories, including a dominant win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes on December 6.
In that $250,000 event, Zany blew out Jumping the Gun by 8 ½ lengths. She held a 4½-length advantage turning for home and drew off without any issues. It was an impressive graded-stakes debut that firmly put her on the Kentucky Oaks radar.
Zany to win the Demoiselle Stakes for 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks! 🌸 pic.twitter.com/XnLA3D1cqT
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) December 6, 2025
Zany followed up with another strong performance in the Suncoast Stakes in February. Sent off as a heavy favorite, she edged away from Life of Joy to win by 2¾ lengths at the wire.
She then faced the toughest test of her career in the $750,000 Grade 1 Ashland Stakes. Percy’s Bar enjoyed a ground-saving trip on the rail and used that perfect setup to steal the win from the favored Zany by 2 ¼ lengths.
Even in defeat, Zany earned the fastest speed figure of her career, a 93, while Percy’s Bar had the ideal inside trip. Despite that setback, Zany has the form and numbers to be a major player in the Kentucky Oaks. Expect her to be right in the mix with a solid chance to win.
Meaning (+500)
As the co-second favorite for the Kentucky Oaks, Meaning enters off back-to-back graded stakes wins and brings excellent momentum into Churchill Downs. She took the Las Virgenes Stakes by 1 ½ lengths over Explora, then followed up with a strong performance in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) for the biggest victory of her career.
Meaning Leads A McCarthy-Trained Exacta In The Grade II Santa Anita Oaks Presented By Surfside Going 1 1/16 Miles Saturday At Santa Anita Park pic.twitter.com/lEBcYECCo7
— Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) April 5, 2026
In the Santa Anita Oaks, Meaning drew off in the stretch and scored by 2 lengths over Brooklyn Blonde. It wasn’t the deepest field she’s ever faced, but she did exactly what a heavy favorite is supposed to do and put them away decisively.
However, in the most high-profile start of her career so far, she came up wanting, finishing 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Halloween at Del Mar.
Percy’s Bar finished just a head in front of Meaning to grab 3rd that day. That effort produced the highest speed figure of Meaning’s career at 95. Since then, her figures have dipped slightly to 94 and 91. In her first workout at Churchill Downs on April 24, she turned in a solid move, stopping the clock at 1:00.00 over 5 furlongs.
Meaning has every right to put together another strong run here, and she offers an opportunity to cash in underneath. Still, I’m hesitant to back her on top in my Kentucky Oaks win selections. She’s certainly a major contender to hit the board, but she’s more likely to come up just short of a winning performance.
Percy’s Bar (+500)
Ben Colebrook’s Percy’s Bar has to be taken seriously as a winning candidate in the Kentucky Oaks. She’s already shown she can handle the top players in this division and enters Friday’s race with plenty of momentum.
Piloted by Luan Machado, Percy’s Bar owns three wins from six starts and has never finished outside the top three. She’s coming into the Oaks off four consecutive graded stakes appearances, and that class and experience are among her biggest assets.
From barroom legend to Kentucky Oaks buzz 🌸
Percy’s Bar, named for iconic bartender Percy Pool, turned heads with a big win in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. Hear from trainer Ben Colebrook about her name and how she's developing 👇 pic.twitter.com/cYxCeHQNor
— America'sBestRacing (@ABRLive) April 8, 2026
Her best effort to date came last time out in the Ashland Stakes (G1), where the three‑year‑old filly produced a perfect ground‑saving trip along the rail and ousted Zany by 2 ¼ lengths, turning back the favored rival with authority.
Breaking from the 11th post, it won’t be as straightforward for Percy’s Bar to secure that rail trip again. Even so, her consistency and proven graded form suggest she’s poised for another strong performance. Percy’s Bar is one of the primary win contenders in the Kentucky Oaks.
Best Kentucky Oaks 2026 Sleeper Bet
Before finalizing your horse racing strategy for Kentucky Oaks 2026 picks, consider including a long shot! Check out my top dark horse to win the 152nd running of the Oaks below:
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Search Party (+2800)
From a strong starting position in the third gate, Search Party is worth circling as one of the best Kentucky Oaks picks. Search Party has captured two of eight races, which doesn’t jump off the page.
However, Search Party has picked herself up as of late. I like the direction she’s going in and could find the perfect storm at Churchill Downs on Friday. With a speed figure of 91+ in four straight races, she has the pace to hang with the best here.
In her most recent performance, Search Party placed 2nd behind Counting Stars in the $1,000,000 Fantasy Stakes (G2). She’s raced in three events at Churchill Downs, so there will be familiarity on this surface. Additionally, her workouts are going well, including a career-best 47.60 seconds at 4 furlongs on April 23.
At +2800 odds, Search Party ranks well as one of the best 2026 Kentucky Oaks winner picks.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Predictions and Best Bets
Now, let’s assess my top Kentucky Oaks winner pick for the 152nd running at Churchill Downs. Also, you can continue reading below to find my best Kentucky Oaks trifecta bet.
Best Kentucky Oaks Winner Bet
I have the Kentucky Oaks coming down to Zany and Percy’s Bar. If they’re interested in running on Friday, expect both horses to be there at the wire. Zany drew a great post position at No. 2, which should only help an already strong horse in this race.
Zany didn’t have the best trip in the loss in the Ashland but still came within striking distance of a win. Any improvement and Zany is going to land in the winner’s circle. She appears to be in good form at the moment and is likely to bring her best to Churchill Downs on Friday.
In short, I am playing Zany for my best Kentucky Oaks 2026 winner pick!
Best Kentucky Oaks Trifecta Bet
If you are looking for a huge payout, consider playing our trifecta bet on the top 3 finishers. With Zany leading the field at the wire, who is going to place 2nd and 3rd?
I anticipate big runs from Zany and Percy’s Bar, with my longshot pick to win the Oaks, Search Party, to be close. Search Party has plenty of appeal heading into the $1.5 million event, and while she’s worth a play to win, also consider adding her to a trifecta to finish 3rd.
The payout for this wager should prove to be huge, so it’s certainly worth throwing a few bucks on your card in the racebook.
Where to Bet on the Kentucky Oaks 2026?
The Sports Geek recommends placing your Kentucky Oaks bets in 2026 at Lucky Rebel. If you are looking for the best futures odds on the market at a trusted online bookmaker, Lucky Rebel delivers for horse racing bettors.
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