The Kentucky Oaks moved into a primetime spot this year on the first Friday of May at Churchill Downs.
The 152nd running of the Oaks race will be more than two hours later than usual with an 8:40 p.m. post time, six minutes after sunset, in hopes of drawing a bigger national audience. The field features two fillies apiece from trainers Brad Cox (who trained Good Cheer to a victory last year), Todd Pletcher, Mark Casse and Bob Baffert.
According to The Weather Channel’s website, there’s a 15% chance of rainy weather earlier in the day, but rainfall is expected to be done by the time the race begins.
Find out below how to watch the Kentucky Oaks, time and more:
How to watch 2026 Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks Day coverage will be broadcast on NBC. You can also stream the race on Peacock.
What time is 2026 Kentucky Oaks?
The 152nd Kentucky Oaks will be shown at 8 p.m. Post time is set for 8:40 p.m. on Friday, May 1.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 post position, horse, trainer, jockey, odds
Odds as of Thursday, via TwinSpires.com
- Explora, Bob Baffert, Flavien Prat, 9-1
- Zany, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 6-1
- Search Party, Mark Casse, Cristian Torres, 40-1
- Counting Stars, Mark Casse, Francisco Arrieta, 10-1
- Meaning, Michael McCarthy, Juan Hernandez, 8-1
- My Miss Mo, Saffie Joseph, Jr., Micah Husbands (SCRATCHED)
- Dazzling Dame, Brittany Russell, Luis Saez, 48-1
- Bottle of Rouge, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith (SCRATCHED)
- Always a Runner, Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz, 6-1
- Prom Queen, Brad Cox, Javier Castellano, 9-1
- Percy’s Bar, Ben Colebrook, Luan Machado, 5-1
- Bella Ballerina, Brendan Walsh, Tyler Gaffalione (SCRATCHED)
- Pashmina, Rob Atras, Ramon Vazquez, 23-1
- Brooklyn Blonde, Michael, McCarthy, Kazushi Kimura, 14-1
- Lovely Grey, Kelsey Danner, Dylan Davis, 7-1
- Nycon, Whit Beckman, Jaime Torres, 73-1
- Resist, Thomas Drury, Brian Hernandez, Jr., 63-1
Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Oaks 2026 time, TV channel, horses in Churchill Downs field