Churchill Downs Picks: Kentucky Oaks Card Analysis (5/1/2026)

The racing action from Churchill Downs on Friday features the Longines Kentucky Oaks. @HandicappingT3 has all the Churchill Downs picks for the entire card!

Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!

Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis

Churchill Downs Picks: Kentucky Oaks Card Analysis (5/1/2026)

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:30 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #7 EPISIST (4-1): Top Pick. Race sets up perfectly. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #1 PHANTOM BLUE (4-5): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well.
• #6 SOARING HIGH (7-2): Contender. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance. Previous success in similar race types.
• #5 MASS (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 6 – 5

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta: 7 / 1,6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:00 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $134k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 DECADENT (8-1): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance.
• #5 QUANTUM BURST (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #9 FIVE A SIDE (3-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Has experience at this level.
• #7 SUDDEN SWITCH (7-2): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 9 – 7

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 2,5,9

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:30 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $127k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

• #9 LEINANI (5-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #10 STAR ACTRESS (4-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Seems to be up against the right competition.
• #6 MAXIMUM OFFER (6-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races.
• #11 FEISTY RED HEAD (20-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 9 – 10 – 6 – 11

The Plays

Win: #9 at 4-1

Exacta: 9 / 10, 6,11

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:00 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

• #1 HEDGE BOOK (7-2): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 BELLA ELLA (15-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #9 LEXI V. (15-1): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #4 COUPLET (6-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 9 – 4

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-2

Exacta: 1 / 7,9,4

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:35 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

• #6 EXECUTIVE (4-1): Top Pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Favorable class relief in this spot.
• #5 FLICK (10-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #10 PREPPED (3-1): Contender. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #14 DROP SHOT (20-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 10 – 14

The Plays

Win: #6 at 3-1

Exacta: 6 / 5,10, 14

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:12 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $127k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 15 runners.

• #5 PAIGE TURNER (4-1): Top Pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #9 STEER CLEAR (10-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Ortiz and Pletcher team up on this one.
• #6 CARMEL COAST (3-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip.
• #12 FRENCH BLUE (9-2): Major Player. Prat puts this one in with a chance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 9 – 6 – 12

The Plays

Win: #5 at 3-1

Exacta: 5 / 9,6,12

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:48 PM ET; Unbridled Sidney Stakes presented by TwinSpires $500k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

• #6 SHISOSPICY (9-5): Best Bet of the Card. Favorable class relief in this spot. Barn has been solid. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #5 QUEEN MAXIMA (7-2): Major Player. Comes home strong. Top connections on the circuit with Hernandez and Mullins.
• #3 TIME TO DAZZLE (15-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Has experience at this level.
• #9 SHOOT IT TRUE (6-1): Fringe Contender. Could be grinding down the competition late. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 3 – 9

The Plays

Win: #6 at 1-1

Exacta: 6 / 5,3,9

Pick 3 (Races 5-7): #6,14 with #5,9 with #6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:30 PM ET; Eight Belles Stakes presented by Sysco $700k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 FRENCH FRICTION (6-1): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Strong early pace figs.
• #9 ON TIME GIRL (5-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #6 SIPPIN PRETTY (8-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
• #8 GOODALL (3-1): Major Player. Should still have enough in the reserves if there in the final furlong. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 6 – 8

The Plays

Win: #2 at 4-1

Exacta: 2 / 9,6,8

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:12 PM ET; Alysheba Stakes presented by U.S. Army $750k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 BAEZA (5-2): Top Pick. Fits well with this group. Looks good based on the 106 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #3 GRANDE (8-1): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #8 CORPORATE POWER (10-1): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup. The 105 speed rating is among the best in the field.
• #7 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (7-2): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 8 – 7

The Plays

Win: #2 at 2-1

Exacta: 2 / 3,8

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 6:01 PM ET; Modesty Stakes presented by Veritas Prime $500k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #6 GEZORA (4-5): Top Pick. Race may setup for this runner. Prat puts this one in with a chance.
• #3 WHISKEY DECISION (4-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #5 KATHYNMARISSA (8-1): Contender. May be able to find the right setup. Has experience at this level.
• #1 RAMSEY POND (30-1): Fringe Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 5 – 1

The Plays

Win: #6 at 6-5

Exacta: 6 / 3,5,1

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 6:56 PM ET; Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes $1000k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

• #9 FULLY SUBSCRIBED (7-2): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #2 SCALABLE (8-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #10 SNOWYTE (10-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. The 102 speed rating is among the best in the field.
• #5 SHRED THE GNAR (3-1): Major Player. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Saez and Lynch team up on this one.

Selections: 9 – 2 – 10 – 5

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-2

Exacta: 9 / 2,10

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 12

Post Time: 7:40 PM ET; Edgewood Stakes presented by Accenture $600k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #5 JUST ALOOF (8-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #1 STORM'S WAKE (6-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Speed figures match this group well.
• #3 IMAGINATIONTHELADY (4-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #9 DANDONA (6-1): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 3 – 9

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 5,1/ 5,1,3,9

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 13

Post Time: 8:40 PM ET; Longines Kentucky Oaks $1500k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 17 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

• #1 EXPLORA (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Looks good based on the 97 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #2 ZANY (4-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #11 PERCY'S BAR (6-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
• #9 ALWAYS A RUNNER (10-1): Major Player. Pace looks outrageous and this one is dead closer. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 11 – 9

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-1

Exacta: 1/2,9,11

Trifecta: 1 / 2,11,9 / 2,11,9

More Horses News

Horse Betting News

Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano (6/14/2026)

Chris Adams Sun Jun 14 2026

Horse Betting News

Santa Anita Picks: Grade 3 Summertime Oaks (6/13/2026)

Chris Adams Sat Jun 13 2026

Horse Betting News

Monmouth Park Picks: Grade 3 Salvator Mile (6/13/2026)

Chris Adams Sat Jun 13 2026

Horse Betting News

Delaware Park Picks: Grade 3 Delaware Oaks (6/13/2026)

Chris Adams Sat Jun 13 2026

Betting News Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Coverage

It is wall to wall Kentucky Derby coverage from Betting News this week. Don't miss our full card analysis from Churchill Downs for every single race this week! That includes the marquee events with the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the Run for the Roses on Saturday. Plus check out some bonus content to get you ready for the big day!

Full Card Analysis

• Betting News will have race by race analysis of the cards Tuesday-Saturday Churchill Downs. Check the site each day at 7:00 am ET for the breakdown of the day's racing action

Special Analysis

• Thursday Feature: The Derby isn't just about the racing. For many its about the parties! Betting News wants to help you be the smartest person in the room on Derby Day with our Trash Talker's Guide to the Kentucky Derby! We make a case for every runner in the field, so you can defend your pick with confidence. More importantly, we tell you why every horse can't winning making sure you can tell your buddies why their horse has no chance.
• Friday Feature: It's hard to pick the winner in the Derby, but even if you don't have a stake in one of the horses, there are plenty of Derby prop bets to consider. We'll look at the 2026 Best Kentucky Derby Props for the weekend.