The Longines Kentucky Oaks has evolved into the most important North American race restricted to 3-year-old fillies, and the 1 1/8-mile dirt race will be the marquee event on Friday, May 1, at Churchill Downs.
Up to 20 lightly raced 3-year-old Thoroughbreds get loaded into the starting gate with somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 fans (many well-lubricated) whipped into a frenzy. Approximately two minutes after the horses begin the cavalry charge down the stretch for the first time, a new Kentucky Derby winner is feted in the winner’s circle.
BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
Last weekend, graded stakes action at Oaklawn Park and Keeneland produced notable movement on the Equibase leaderboard, particularly within the older female division, and they helped Saffie Joseph Jr. move up into second place among all trainers ranked by North American earnings in 2026.
Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.
