The 152nd running of the Kentucky Oaks goes tonight (Friday, May 1st) at Churchill Downs, and for the first time in the race’s history it will run in primetime. Post time for the $1.5 million Grade 1 contest is 8:40pm ET, and a field of 14 three-year-old fillies will compete on the 1 1/8 mile dirt track.
The Kentucky Oaks is the marquee tune-up race for Kentucky Derby bettors, with the Derby being one of the most bet on single day events in the USA each year. If you are planning to bet on the Derby this Saturday, getting your feet wet with a Kentucky Oaks bet on Friday is a great way to start.
On this page we cover the options Americans have for betting on the Kentucky Oaks, look at the morning line odds for the 2026 race, and finish with a step by step guide to placing your bets.
Where Can Americans Bet On The Kentucky Oaks?
Horse racing has its own rules in the US, separate from sports betting. Here are the main ways to bet on the Kentucky Oaks.
Online Horse Racing Sites (ADWs)
Horse racing betting is legal in most US states through licensed advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites such as TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, NYRA Bets and AmWager. They offer the full range of pari-mutuel bets, including win/place/show, exactas, trifectas and superfectas. You must be 18 or older (21 in some states) and located in a state where the site is licensed.
At The Track or an Off-Track Betting Location
You can also bet in person at the racetrack or at an off-track betting (OTB) location in states that allow them.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks also take bets on major races from across the US. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means Americans who use them have no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
Kentucky Oaks Morning Line Odds
Here are the morning line odds and post positions for the 2026 Kentucky Oaks. The post position and morning line were set the weekend before the race. The morning line odds are basically an estimate of what the true odds will be for each horse on race day.
- Explora 6-1
- Zany 4-1
- Search Party 30-1
- Counting Stars 8-1
- Meaning 5-1
- My Miss Mo 20-1
- Dazzling Dame 30-1
- Bottle of Rouge 15-1
- Always A Runner 10-1
- Prom Queen 8-1
- Percy’s Bar 6-1
- Bella Ballerina 12-1
- Pashmina 30-1
- Brooklyn Blonde 30-1
Zany is the morning line favorite at odds of 4-1, with Meaning (5-1), Explora (6-1) and Percy’s Bar (6-1) rounding out the top contenders.
Bet On The Kentucky Oaks From The US – Step By Step
Whichever option you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose Where To Bet
Decide which option fits how you want to bet. Licensed ADW sites are the regulated way to bet on horse racing online in most states, while the track and OTB locations are an option if you’d rather bet in person. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
ADW sites require you to be at least 18 (21 in some states) and located in a state where they are licensed. They will confirm your age and location when you sign up.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Regulated platforms are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number or a photo of your ID.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the platform’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Kentucky Oaks and Place Your Bets
Find Churchill Downs in the list of tracks and select race #13 (post time 8:40pm ET) on May 1st. Choose the type of bet you want to make (win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, etc.), select your horses, enter your wager amounts and confirm your bets.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before the race and stick to it. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
Check out our horse race betting pages for a full breakdown of the different bets you can make on the Kentucky Oaks.
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