What is the Delaware Oaks?
The Delaware Oaks is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Delaware Park in Stanton, Delaware. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, it is the premier mid-Atlantic stakes race for sophomore fillies and one of the most historic distaff events on the East Coast racing calendar. Inaugurated in 1938, the Delaware Oaks has a distinguished roll of honor that includes Hall of Famers Gallorette (1945), Dark Mirage (1968), Gallant Bloom (1969), and Desert Vixen (1973). Part of the Del Cap Festival Weekend alongside the Delaware Handicap, the Oaks is the centerpiece event of Delaware Park's summer racing season and draws top 3-year-old fillies from across the country targeting summer championship events including the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. The current stakes record of 1:41.79 was set by Calamity Kate in 2015.
When is the Delaware Oaks in 2026?
The 2026 Delaware Oaks is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 at Delaware Park as part of the Delaware Oaks and Derby Day card. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $300,000, the race is the highlight of Delaware Park's summer season and draws the top 3-year-old fillies in the country targeting the summer stakes championship circuit.
Delaware Oaks History & Notable Winners
The Delaware Oaks has produced a series of talented fillies in recent years who have gone on to earn graded stakes recognition on the national stage. Fondly gave trainer Graham Motion and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. a 2025 win in 1:45.61 for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables, continuing Motion's recent domination of the race after winning with Fortune Pearl in 2014. Power Squeeze provided a 2024 score under Javier Castellano for trainer Jorge Delgado in 1:45.65. Foggy Night delivered an upset for trainer Robert Reid Jr. and jockey Paco Lopez in 2023, winning in 1:45.07. Midnight Stroll posted the fastest recent renewal in 2022, winning in 1:44.31 under Eric Cancel for trainer John Terranova. Crazy Beautiful gave trainer Kenneth McPeek and jockey Mike Smith a 2021 victory in 1:46.33 for Phoenix Thoroughbred III, with McPeek becoming the first trainer to win the Delaware Oaks three times in the modern era.
The Delaware Oaks is one of the most historic distaff dirt races in the Mid-Atlantic and the signature event of Delaware Park's summer racing season each June.
