Always a Runner lived up to its name at the 152nd Kentucky Oaks. The filly, running in only her third race, took the lead on the final straight to get the win at the prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Explora took the early lead, and Dazzling Dame later briefly moved in front, but both faded down the stretch. Meaning took the lead on the final straight, but Always a Runner blew past the field and won by more than a length. Meaning took second and Counting Stars edged Explora for the show.
A $2 bet to win on Always a Runner paid $13.04. A $2 exacta paid $97.58.
The win gives Chad Brown another notch on his belt of horse racing accomplishments. Brown had never won the Kentucky Oaks before. Jose Ortiz was the jockey riding Always a Runner to the strong finish.
Zany, the favorite, was not a factor in the race and finished sixth. Lovely Grey, the horse owned by Dave Portnoy, finished 12th.
The Kentucky Oaks ran in primetime for the first time with an 8:41 p.m. ET post time. It was the last race of the day. In previous years, it would run a couple of hours earlier, with multiple races to follow it later on Friday.
2026 Kentucky Oaks finishing order
- Always a Runner
- Meaning
- Counting Stars
- Explora
- Prom Queen
- Zany
- Percy’s Bar
- Dazzling Dame
- Resist
- Search Party
- Pashmina
- Lovely Grey
- Brooklyn Blonde
