2025.07.29 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

One of Oaklawn’s major Kentucky Derby prep races received another boost when Louisiana-bred standout Smoken Wicked rolled to a 5 ¾-length victory in the $200,000 G2-Amsterdam Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters Friday at Saratoga.

Smoken Wicked ($7.50) became the fourth starter from the $1.25 million G2-Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn to return and win a major black-type event, following Tiztastic (G2-Louisiana Derby), Sandman (G1-Arkansas Derby) and Admiral Dennis (Delaware Derby).

After dominating Louisiana-bred competition last winter at Fair Grounds, Smoken Wicked – in his two-turn debut – finished last of 13 in the Rebel, a 1 1/16-mile event that is Oaklawn’s third of four Kentucky Derby qualifying races. Smoken Wicked has targeted one-turn races since the Rebel for trainer Dallas Stewart and prominent Louisiana owner Valene Farms (Murray Valene).

Smoken Wicked, who was ridden to his Amsterdam victory by Brian Hernandez Jr., covered 6 ½ furlongs over a fast track in 1:15.64. Smoken Wicked, by Oaklawn-raced Bobby’s Wicked One, raised his career earnings to $551,392 following his fifth victory from 13 starts. The Amsterdam was Smoken Wicked’s first career graded stakes victory and third stakes victory overall.

Smoken Wicked ran third in the $200,000 G2-Saratoga Special Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs last August at Saratoga.

Finish Lines

Odds-on favorite and Oaklawn-raced Patriot Spirit ($3.60) won the $100,000 Reigh Count Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs Saturday at Colonial Downs. … Oaklawn-raced Tarantino finished third in the $300,000 G2-San Diego Handicap Saturday at Del Mar. … Oaklawn stakes winner The Wine Steward and Oaklawn-raced Wynstock are entered in the $150,000 John Morrissey Stakes for New York-breds Thursday at Saratoga. … Black Apple, a three-time winner at the 2023-2024 Oaklawn meeting, was retired following an eighth-place finish in a 1 ¼-mile allowance race on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs, according to a social media post from Shortleaf Stable, which raced the 5-year-old Arkansas-bred gelding. Black Apple, who represented trainer John Ortiz’s 100th career Oaklawn victory March 9, 2024, was retired to Shortleaf Farm, just south of Hot Springs. Shortleaf is headed by John Ed Anthony, the winningest owner in Oaklawn history with 299 victories.