Kentucky Oaks 2026 betting guide: Picks for 'Oaks Day' at Churchill Downs
The 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs features a competitive field of three-year-old fillies, with Counting Stars, Explora, and Always a Runner highlighted as top contenders in the $1.5 million Grade 1 race. Betting action is strong ahead of the event, which serves as a major highlight of the Derby weekend in Louisville. The article provides wagering recommendations, including win, place, exacta, and trifecta bets across several races on the Oaks Day card.
- ▪The 2026 Kentucky Oaks is a Grade 1 race for three-year-old fillies held at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
- ▪Counting Stars, Explora, and Always a Runner are among the top contenders for the $1.5 million race.
- ▪The betting guide recommends wagers on horses such as French Fiction, Corporate Power, Lion Lake, and Always a Runner across multiple races.
- ▪Race 13 features a $8 win bet on #9 Always a Runner and includes $1 exacta and trifecta boxes on horses 1, 4, and 9.
- ▪The Eight Belles Stakes (Race 8) is a seven-furlong race with a $700,000 purse for three-year-old fillies.
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OutKick Kentucky Oaks 2026 betting guide: Picks for 'Oaks Day' at Churchill Downs Counting Stars, Explora and Always a Runner are the top contenders in the $1.5M Grade 1 showdown for fillies By Geoff Clark OutKick Published May 1, 2026 2:21pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Kentucky Derby Betting Guide with Chris Fallica | Don't @ Me w/ Dan Dakich Chris "Bear" Fallica joins Dan Dakich to preview the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Forget the small talk, Churchill Downs is officially rocking as we kick off Derby weekend with the 2026 Kentucky Oaks. The Lilies for the Fillies isn't just a tradition; it’s a high-stakes, Grade 1 showdown.
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