Kentucky Oaks odds highlight depth in 2026 field at Churchill Downs

What sets Zany apart from the other contenders? Tammaro pointed to her victory last December in the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct — "I still don't know if any of them have run that well, whether at 2 or 3 (years old)," he said.

Zany and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. drew the No. 2 spot Saturday. Pletcher, who is one Oaks victory away from entering a three-way tie with Woody Stephens and D. Wayne Lukas for the most by a trainer with five, was not in attendance.

Tammaro ventured to guess the Hall of Famer would have preferred an outside draw. But ...

"Being outside, in the clear, last (time) out is what enabled Percy's Bar to sneak up the rail and beat them," the oddsmaker said.

Not sold on Zany in the Oaks? There are plenty of other options

After Zany, there are five horses with odds ranging from 5-1 and 10-1.

They are, in order of post position:

• Explora (No. 1, 6-1)
• Counting Stars (No. 4, 8-1)
• Meaning (No. 5, 5-1)
• Always a Runner (No. 9, 10-1)
• Prom Queen (No. 10, 8-1)
• Percy's Bar (No. 11, 6-1)
• Bella Ballerina (No. 12, 10-1)

Brad Cox will look to repeat in the No. 10 spot

Cox has three Oaks victories to his name, including last year's with 6-5 favorite Good Cheer, who started in the No. 10 spot. But he's never gone back-to-back.

Maybe this was a sign that history will repeat itself? Prom Queen drew No. 10 on Saturday.

The daughter of Quality Road is 2-1-0 across three career starts and coming off a 2¾-length win in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks with Javier Castellano in the irons on March 28.

"I'm happy with the draw," Cox told The Courier Journal on Saturday. "... Looking back at her Gulfstream Oaks, I'm hopeful she can get a similar trip."

This story will be updated.

Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Oaks 2026 field at Churchill Downs highlighted by depth