Essex Handicap 2026: Skippylongstocking Headlines Oaklawn's $500,000 Saturday Showpiece
The Essex Handicap doesn’t always make the front page. The 78th running of this Grade 3 at Oaklawn Park on Saturday might change that.
One of the most recognisable names in American racing walks into the gate as a short-priced favorite off the biggest win of his career. Behind him, a field of eight that’s open enough to make the exotics genuinely compelling. And a race with nearly 80 years of history that serves as a direct pipeline to the Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
This is a good one. Here’s why.
The Essex Handicap (G3) — Oaklawn Park | Saturday | 1 1/8 Miles
Skippylongstocking — 36 Starts, 13 Wins, One Gear (4-5)
When a horse upsets the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in January and comes back two months later as a 4-5 morning line favorite, you pay attention. Skippylongstocking has earned everything the market is saying about him.
The 7-year-old Exaggerator gelding is a mid-pack stalker who waits, waits, and then unleashes a finish that his rivals simply can’t match. He’s won the Oaklawn Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup at 1¼ miles, the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes, and two Charles Town Classics. He’s 3-for-3 at this exact distance on dirt. He knows this track. He knows this trip.
The one thing worth noting — he was scratched from the Santa Anita Handicap after a loading incident on the way to California. Connections have said they had to call an audible. He’s here instead, carrying 124 pounds, with Micah Husbands up for Saffie Joseph Jr. By all accounts he’s come out of it fine. His presence in this field at this price suggests everyone around him believes that too.
At 4-5, you’re not backing him for value. You’re backing him because he’s the best horse in the race and he’s in form. Those two things don’t always go together. Here they do.
Accelerize — Improving Fast, Priced to Beat (9-2)
Five starts. Three wins. A head defeat last time in graded stakes company. First-time blinkers. Todd Pletcher. John Velazquez.
Accelerize is the horse the market respects most behind the favorite — and with good reason. He’s lightly raced, rapidly improving, and gets six pounds from Skippylongstocking. The blinker addition is the interesting detail. Pletcher doesn’t reach for equipment changes casually. He’s seen something in the mornings that suggests this colt needs sharper focus to unlock what he’s capable of.
The class jump is real. But so is the trajectory. If you’re looking for the main betting danger to Skippylongstocking, Accelerize is it.
San Siro — Track Form, Honest Price (6-1)
San Siro won gate-to-wire at Oaklawn six weeks ago. He knows the track, knows how to get to the front, and comes in off a performance that showed he’s right. He’s up against better today, but local form at a fair price is always worth including in your exotics. Brendan Walsh trains, Ramon Vazquez rides.
Doc Sullivan — Speed That Might Not Last (8-1)
Ships in from New York with front-end speed and Aqueduct stakes form. Ricardo Santana Jr. gets the mount and has won this race before. The question is the distance — Doc Sullivan has never won beyond a mile. If the pace is soft and he gets a soft lead, he could hang around long enough to hit the board. If it’s genuine pace, he’s likely to come back to the field in the stretch.
The Rest
Mackman won an allowance here at this distance six weeks ago — inside post, local form, live at 10-1. Gould’s Gold has been in the money nearly 80% of his career and ran third in the Razorback Handicap (G3) last out — Kenny McPeek has had him ready. Duke of Duval runs for Steve Asmussen, which is always a reason to give a second look. Runaway Again is the wildcard, stretching out from shorter distances with solid speed figures.
Why the Essex Handicap Matters
This race has been running since 1948. It gained Grade 3 status in 1985 and has produced multiple horses who backed it up in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) — the Essex-Oaklawn double is a genuine historical pattern. First Mission set the track record here in 2024 at 1:49.76. Silver State completed the double in 2021. Rated R Superstar won it twice.
If Skippylongstocking wins on Saturday, the Oaklawn Handicap conversation starts immediately. He’s already won it once. He’s won at this distance three times in a row. The narrative writes itself.
Essex Handicap Betting Tips
Skippylongstocking is short but legitimate. At 4-5 he won’t build your bankroll on the win alone — but using him as your key in exotics while finding value underneath is the smart play.
Accelerize at 9-2 is the most interesting price on the board. Improving 4-year-old, first-time blinkers, elite connections, six pounds from the favorite. He’s the one most likely to make it a race.
San Siro and Gould’s Gold are your exotic fillers. Both have reasons to hit the board. Neither is likely to win outright, but both deserve spots in your trifecta and superfecta.
Doc Sullivan adds pace. Whether that’s good or bad for the race depends on what else goes forward. Watch the early fractions — if he’s allowed to coast on the front end, he’s more dangerous than 8-1 suggests.
Bet the Essex Handicap at MyWinners
The full Oaklawn Park card is live on MyWinners on Saturday — eight runners in the Essex Handicap and every exotic bet type you need to make the most of it. Exactas, trifectas, superfectas, daily doubles — it’s all there.
Place bets at app.mywinners.com, download the MyWinners: Racing & Sports app on iOS here or Android here, or find your nearest Winners venue in CT.
On the day of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, you can go direct to the race card here.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Essex Handicap 2026?
The Essex Handicap (G3) runs on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas — the 78th running of a race that dates back to 1948.
What distance is the Essex Handicap?
The Essex Handicap is run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt — a genuine test for older horses and a key prep for the Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
Who is the favorite for the 2026 Essex Handicap?
Skippylongstocking is the 4-5 morning line favorite, coming off a Pegasus World Cup (G1) victory in January. He carries 124 pounds and is 3-for-3 at the race distance.
Who are the main dangers in the 2026 Essex Handicap?
Accelerize at 9-2 is the most respected danger — an improving 4-year-old with elite connections in Pletcher and Velazquez, running with first-time blinkers and getting six pounds from the favorite. San Siro at 6-1 has strong local form at Oaklawn.
Can I bet the Essex Handicap online?
Yes. MyWinners offers pari-mutuel betting on the full Oaklawn Park card, including all exotic bet types for the Essex Handicap.
