Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Dirt)
Purse: $1,000,000 (first seven-figure purse in the race’s 53-year history)
For: 3-year-old Fillies
Scheduled Post Time: 5:54 PM CT (First post for the 12-race card is 12:30 PM CT; this is the marquee late-card feature and final Kentucky Oaks points qualifier on Fantasy Stakes Day)
Venue Location: Oaklawn Park is located at 2705 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas (71901). It is one of the top winter/spring racing venues in the country, with a fast, fair dirt surface that typically plays evenly or with a mild inside-speed bias at two turns for 3-year-old stakes.
Expected Weather Conditions: Mild and dry early-spring weather. Daytime high around 75°F (24°C), low near 43°F (6°C) overnight. Mostly clear skies with no chance of precipitation and light winds. These conditions are consistent with the extended forecast for Hot Springs on Friday.
Track Conditions: Fast dirt (no rain in the forecast and recent Oaklawn cards have run consistently fast; the surface should favor tactical speed and mid-pack closers in this two-turn route).Full Field (6 horses – official entries locked):
This is a compact but high-quality field of Kentucky Oaks preps contenders, headlined by Eclipse Award finalist Explora (unbeaten in Oaks preps at Oaklawn for trainer Bob Baffert) and a trio from the red-hot Mark Casse barn. Morning line odds reflect Explora as the heavy favorite, with solid value underneath. Recent form centers on the local Honeybee Stakes (G3) and Martha Washington.
PP 1 – Search Party
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (multiple Oaks preps winner; elite with improving fillies)
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres (high-percentage rider at Oaklawn)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 6/1
Recent Finishes:
4th, Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles.
1st, Martha Washington S., 2/6/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles (Oaklawn’s first Oaks qualifier).
Analysis: Stakes-proven with a local win at today’s exact distance. Casse has her sharp, but she’ll need to rebound from the Honeybee and overcome the rail draw in a field with proven closers. Tactical speed makes her a live exotic play.
PP 2 – Empath
Trainer: Mark E. Casse (same powerhouse barn as three entrants)
Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez (reliable Oaklawn specialist)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 20/1
Recent Finishes:
1st (maiden breaker), 3/14/26, Oaklawn (sprint).
Analysis: Supplemental nominee stretching to two turns for the first time. Lightly raced with upside, but this is a massive class and distance jump. Casse can improve them quickly; longshot chance to steal a piece if the pace melts early.
PP 3 – Counting Stars
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta (strong recent meet rider)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 5/2
Recent Finishes:
2nd (beaten ¾ length), Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles (behind Explora).
Analysis: Consistent Casse runner with a strong local placing at today’s distance. The Honeybee effort shows she can compete with the best; expect her to sit mid-pack and finish strongly. One of the top win threats and a key exotic horse.
PP 4 – Taken by the Wind
Trainer: Kenny G. McPeek (proven with Oaks contenders; sharp shipper)
Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel (local rider who fits forward styles)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 15/1
Recent Finishes:
8th (first career loss), Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn.
Prior: Grade 3 winner (three wins in four starts).
Analysis: Talented but bounced in the Honeybee. McPeek gets them to rebound; she has early tactical speed and could wire or press if the favorite is overbet. Respect at a price as a live longshot.
PP 5 – Sticker Shock
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (top-tier stakes trainer with high win rate on debuters)
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. (elite closer; one of the best in the country)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 3/1
Recent Finishes:
2-for-3 lifetime (stakes debut today).
Analysis: Lightly raced but highly regarded with Cox/Ortiz Jr. firepower. The connections alone demand respect; she’ll likely stalk and pounce. Strong contender who could crash the exacta at square odds.
PP 6 – Explora
Trainer: Bob Baffert (Hall of Famer; unbeaten in Kentucky Oaks preps at Oaklawn – won Fantasy in 1999 & 2012)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (nation’s top rider; perfect for tactical closers)
Weight: 122 lbs
ML Odds: 1/1 (heavy favorite)
Recent Finishes:
1st (by ¾ length over Counting Stars), Honeybee S. (G3), 3/1/26, Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles.
Eclipse Award finalist as champion 2-year-old filly.
Analysis: The clear class leader and standout. Baffert has her razor-sharp, Prat is the ideal rider, and she’s already beaten several of these at this track/distance. Outside post is fine for her stalking style. The one to beat – expect her to sit just off the pace and deliver.
Overall Preview & Handicapping Thoughts:
A star-studded but small-field Oaks prep with heavy Baffert/Casse influence. The pace should be honest with forward runners (Search Party, Taken by the Wind) setting it up for mid-pack closers like Explora, Counting Stars, and Sticker Shock. Oaklawn’s fast dirt at 1 1/16 miles plays to tactical speed and strong closers. Explora is the deserved favorite and likely winner, but the Casse trio plus Cox/Ortiz make this a betting race underneath with excellent exotic value.
