The Road to the 2027 Kentucky Oaks begins Saturday, September 12, at Churchill Downs, where Manuka Honey brings an unbeaten record into the $300,000 Pocahontas Stakes.
The Grade 3 race is contested over one mile and goes as Race 8 on the 11 race program. Post time is scheduled for 4:26 p.m. Eastern.
Manuka Honey enters after two dominant wins
Manuka Honey has won both of her starts for trainer Brian Lynch, and both victories came by wide margins.
She opened her career with a 7 1/4 length victory in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on June 20. She then won the Ellis Park Debutante by seven lengths on August 9.
Luis Saez, aboard for both victories, retains the mount from post 2. Her combination of proven speed and experience at Churchill Downs makes her a central figure in the first Oaks points race of the season.
Several accomplished fillies line up
Pierette brings stakes form into the Pocahontas after winning the Churchill Downs Debutante. Jose Ortiz rides for trainer Mark Casse from post 1.
Scarlett Begonia also owns graded stakes experience after finishing third in the Adirondack. Flavien Prat rides from post 6 for trainer Brad Cox.
Miss Anna is another filly to watch after a six length maiden special weight victory. Tyler Gaffalione rides from post 7 for trainer Brendan Walsh.
Full Pocahontas field
The field from the rail is Pierette, Manuka Honey, Stripe Show, Sweet Kathleen, Betty Sue, Scarlett Begonia, Miss Anna, For the Win and Tahaluf.
The race brings together fillies with different levels of experience, from established stakes performers to recent maiden winners who could take a major step forward.
The first points toward the Kentucky Oaks
The Pocahontas opens the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The top five finishers earn qualifying points on a 10, 5, 3, 2 and 1 scale toward the April 30, 2027 Kentucky Oaks.
The race also connects to the Breeders’ Cup through the Dirt Dozen Bonus Series. The top three eligible finishers can receive partial entry credit toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland.
The Pocahontas winner also receives an automatic berth to the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs on November 28, adding another clear progression point for an emerging juvenile filly.
Part of a deeper September stakes card
The Pocahontas is one of five stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois begins the Road to the Kentucky Derby later on the card, while the Locust Grove, Louisville Thoroughbred Society and Open Mind add older horse stakes depth.
OTB Bet has already published the broader Churchill Downs September Meet overview. This confirmed Pocahontas field now gives readers the first concrete group of fillies to follow on the Oaks trail.
For ongoing coverage of the season’s biggest events, visit the OTB Bet Major Races hub.
