2025.03.15 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Press Release
Compiled by Robert Yates

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Unbeaten Nuit Magique is under consideration for the six-furlong $250,000 Matron Stakes for older fillies and mares March 29 at Oaklawn, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Friday morning.

Nuit Magique is 2 for 2 in her career, with both victories coming this year at Oaklawn. Nuit Magique broke her maiden by eight lengths Feb. 8 and cleared her first allowance condition by a half-length March 8. Both races were six furlongs.

“She’s pretty special,” Lukas said. “I’m anxious to run her around two turns. That’s what I’ve got in mind. I might drop her into a stake here if I can get the right one. I’m looking at the Matron. It might fit her.”

Nuit Magique, 4, is from the final crop of the deceased champion Arrogate. Lukas said the chestnut filly is owned by a new client, an interest in Saudi Arabia, although his racing manager, Andreas Constantinou, is the owner of record.

“They just wanted me to have a horse,” Lukas said. “The ownership, I’ve never met the man. Through the interpreter, that agent, Andreas, he has told me everything: ‘The guy’s thrilled to death when we ran her. Be careful, there’s no hurry. Take all the time you need. The usual.’ But I’ve had no contact with him personally.”

Nuit Magique sold for $1 million at Fasig-Tipton’s 2023 Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Lukas said he’s had the filly “a long time,” but her racing career was delayed after having a knee chip removed.

“I gave her a lot of time,” Lukas said. “But she is really talented. You go back to that race where she broke her maiden here. When she rebroke at the top of the stretch, that was the end of that.”

Entries will be accepted and post positions drawn March 23 for the Matron.

Five of a Kind

Jockey Francisco Arrieta rode five winners Friday at Oaklawn, equaling a career high.

Arrieta won the fourth race aboard Morally Complex ($11.80) for trainer Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez, sixth race aboard Magical Mark ($7.60) for Ramirez-Rodriguez, seventh race aboard Passion Rules ($11.20) for trainer Brad Cox, eighth race aboard favored Cloud Without Rein ($5.40) for trainer Greg Compton and the 10th and final race aboard Nice Move ($10.40) for trainer Ernie Witt II.

Arrieta rode five winners on a single card twice in 2019 at Turf Paradise. He was Oaklawn’s co-leading rider in 2021-2022 with 62 victories and entered Saturday tied for third in the 2024-2025 standings with 29 victories.

Finish Lines

Millionaire Grade 3 winner Disarm ($6.80) launched his 5-year-old campaign with a neck victory in Friday’s ninth race at Oaklawn, a $131,000 allowance for older horses at 1 1/16 miles. Keith Asmussen rode Disarm for his father, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who also won Friday’s first race with Rose Palace ($7.40). The double pushed Steve Asmussen’s career-record total at Oaklawn to 975. Asmussen entered Saturday with a meet-high 28 victories this season. … Entries will be accepted and post positions drawn Sunday for two stakes races March 22 at Oaklawn – $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles and the $175,000 Purple Martin for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. Essex probables, according to the Oaklawn racing department, include Bishops Bay and Kinetic for trainer Brad Cox and Patriot Spirit (Michael Campbell). The Essex Handicap is a major local prep for the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at 1 1/8 miles April 19. … Joseph Bealmear, Oaklawn’s leading apprentice jockey last season, underwent surgery Thursday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs to repair a broken collarbone, his agent, “Big Steve” Krajcir, said Friday morning. Bealmear was injured in a spill in last Sunday’s sixth race at Oaklawn. “Everything seemed to go really well,” Krajcir said, referring to the surgery. Krajcir said there’s no timetable for Bealmear’s return. Bealmear rode 19 winners at the 2023-2024 Oaklawn meeting and has five victories this season. … Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna returned last Monday to Fair Grounds, according to Ray Bryner, who oversees trainer Kenny McPeek’s Oaklawn division. Thorpedo Anna, in her 4-year-old debut, won the $400,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) last Saturday at Oaklawn. Bryner said Thorpedo Anna is scheduled to return to Oaklawn “about March 30” to continue preparations for the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 12. The Azeri was Oaklawn’s final major prep for the Apple Blossom, among the country’s biggest two-turn events for older fillies and mares. … Banishing is pointing for the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) for older horses March 29, co-owner/trainer David Jacobson said Friday morning. Banishing is a two-time winner this season at Oaklawn and finished second, beaten a head, in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 23 in his last start. Banishing was a sharp allowance winner at 7 furlongs Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs for Jacobson. … Hola Joey is under consideration for the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile March 30 at Oaklawn, trainer Gene Jacquot said Saturday morning. Hola Joey, in his last start, ran second in the $150,000 Ozark Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.