The 2026 Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational will be run on Wednesday, September 9 at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. The Grade III race is contested at 1 5/16 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies with a $2,000,000 purse.
| Date | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Track | Kentucky Downs |
| Race | Race 12 |
| Distance | 1 5/16 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade III |
| Purse | $2,000,000 |
| Age | 3-year-old fillies |
| Post Time | 5:49 PM CT |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bless Her (KY) | J R Velazquez | H G Motion | 15/1 |
| 2 | Charm of Venice (GB) | B J Hernandez, Jr. | B P Walsh | 20/1 |
| 3 | Haute Diva (KY) | K J Asmussen | P L Biancone | 10/1 |
| 4 | Turner's Charm (KY) | B Curtis | B P Walsh | 10/1 |
| 5 | Embrace Time (KY) | M J Husbands | S A Joseph, Jr. | 12/1 |
| 6 | Call On Me (KY) | L Saez | G R Arnold II | 15/1 |
| 7 | Bohemian (KY) | J L Ortiz | J Sharp | 8/1 |
| 8 | La Fogata (IRE) | U Rispoli | D O'Brien | 4/1 |
| 9 | Kentucky Belle (KY) | F Prat | B H Cox | 3/1 |
| 10 | Dakotah Blue (KY) | T Gaffalione | S A Joseph, Jr. | 8/1 |
| 11 | Time to Dream (KY) | R Santana, Jr. | T A Pletcher | 9/2 |
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The Dueling Grounds Oaks is one of Kentucky Downs' premier turf races for 3-year-old fillies. The Grade III invitational is contested over 1 5/16 miles on Kentucky Downs' distinctive turf course and carries a $2 million purse in 2026.
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The Dueling Grounds Oaks was inaugurated in 2015 as a companion race to the Dueling Grounds Derby. The event became a Listed stakes in 2021, adopted invitational status in 2024, and was upgraded to Grade III for the 2025 season.
Fionn set the current Dueling Grounds Oaks race record when she won the 2025 edition in 2:05.52. Previous winners include Kathynmarissa in 2024, Freydis the Red in 2023, Vergara in 2022, Adventuring in 2021, and Micheline in 2020.
Fionn won the 2025 Dueling Grounds Oaks under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Brad H. Cox, completing the 1 5/16 miles in 2:05.52.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fionn | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | 2:05.52 |
| 2024 | Kathynmarissa | Frankie Dettori | Richard Dutrow Jr. | 2:06.40 |
| 2023 | Freydis the Red (FR) | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | 2:06.13 |
| 2022 | Vergara | Joel Rosario | H. Graham Motion | 2:14.95 |
| 2021 | Adventuring | Joel Rosario | Brad H. Cox | 2:12.33 |
| 2020 | Micheline | Joel Rosario | Michael Stidham | 2:06.41 |
The 2026 Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. The official race number and post time will be added once the final Kentucky Downs race card is published.
The Dueling Grounds Oaks is contested at 1 5/16 miles on turf at Kentucky Downs.
The 2026 Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational carries a $2,000,000 purse, including $1,000,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
The Dueling Grounds Oaks is an invitational race restricted to 3-year-old fillies.
Not yet. Kentucky Downs has published the nominated horses for the 2026 Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational, but the final field has not yet been confirmed. Entries, post positions, jockeys, and odds will be updated once the official field is released.
Kentucky Belle is the morning-line favorite for the 2026 Dueling Grounds Oaks. Check the latest odds table above for current prices as race day approaches.
The latest 2026 Dueling Grounds Oaks odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated once the final field and official prices are released.
The Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational is a Grade III Thoroughbred turf race held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky. It is contested at 1 5/16 miles for 3-year-old fillies.
The Dueling Grounds Oaks is held at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky.
You can bet online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, and select Kentucky Downs and the Dueling Grounds Oaks from the available racing markets once wagering opens. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Fionn won the 2025 Dueling Grounds Oaks under jockey Flavien Prat for trainer Brad H. Cox, completing the 1 5/16 miles in 2:05.52.
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Entries and odds will be updated once the official field is confirmed.
