Zany could give Pletcher fifth Kentucky Oaks victory
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Woody Stephens and D. Wayne Lukas hold the record for most wins in the Kentucky Oaks with five. It’s not crazy to think that in 2026 trainer Todd Pletcher could join them.
Pletcher, a four-time Oaks winner, appears to have a top candidate for the May 1 Oaks in Zany, who made it 2 for 2 with an authoritative 8 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle. Her final time of 1:50.55 was .42 seconds faster than Paladin’s final time for the Remsen later on the card and translated to an 89 Beyer Speed Figure.
Zany, a daughter of American Pharoah out of the nine-furlong graded stakes-winning mare Mo’ Green, successfully stretched out from a 6 1/2-furlong maiden win on Nov. 1 at Gulfstream Park to 1 1/8 miles in the Demoiselle and did so without breaking a sweat. She gave Pletcher his record-extending 10th Demoiselle victory.
“I thought it was a great performance for a second start, she handled the stretch-out in distance, the step up in class, did it very well,” Pletcher said. “She seemed to come back in good order this morning, very pleased with her.”
Ashado and Malathaat were two Demoiselle winners who would go on to win the Kentucky Oaks for Pletcher. Princess of Sylmar and Rags to Riches are Pletcher’s other Oaks winners.
Zany beat a relatively soft field in the Demoiselle, and with only two starts likely needs more seasoning to be ready for stiffer competition. Pletcher said the Grade 1 Ashland on April 4 at Keeneland will be her first major goal of 2026, with a start beforehand. Pletcher would like to keep her around two turns, with races like the Grade 2, $300,000 Rachel Alexandra, a 1 1/16-mile race at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14, or the Suncoast, a mile and 40-yard race at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7, potential starting points.
“We won’t be in any rush to do something,” Pletcher said.
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