2026 Kentucky Oaks picks: Predictions, preview, best bets for Friday’s headliner at Churchill Downs
The 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs features a highly competitive field with Mike Repole's Zany as the 4-1 favorite, though several horses are closely priced, creating uncertainty. Brad Cox's Prom Queen is highlighted as a strong win bet at 8-1, coming off an impressive eight-length victory in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. Public betting interest has surged on Lovely Grey, a 30-1 entrant backed by Dave Portnoy, potentially inflating her odds and creating value elsewhere in the betting pool.
- ▪Zany is the lukewarm favorite at 4-1 for the 2026 Kentucky Oaks, with several other horses closely trailing in odds.
- ▪Prom Queen, trained by Brad Cox, is a top win bet at 8-1 after winning her last two races, including the Gulfstream Park Oaks.
- ▪Lovely Grey, an also-eligible horse entering after a scratch, saw her odds shorten from 30-1 to 6-1 due to heavy public betting support.
- ▪Chad Brown's Always A Runner remains undefeated in two starts and is considered one of the classiest horses despite limited experience.
- ▪Bob Baffert's Explora faces a tough inside post draw but remains a contender at 6-1 odds.
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Betting 2026 Kentucky Oaks picks: Predictions, preview, best bets for Friday’s headliner at Churchill Downs By Michael Leboff Published May 1, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET The finish line at Churchill Downs. AP Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Much like its big brother on Saturday, Friday’s Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs projects to be wide open. Mike Repole’s Zany, which drew into the No. 2 spot, is the lukewarm favorite at 4-1, but the oddsmakers don’t see much of a difference between her and the chasing pack. There were three other horses, No. 5 Meaning (5-1), No. 1 Explora (6-1), and No. 11 Percy’s Bar (6-1), right behind Zany on the morning line, and three more, No.
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