Oaklawn’s Latest Racing News & Updates

WELCOME BACK TO THE 2025-2026 RACING SEASON BEGINNING DEC. 12

Oaklawn is preparing for its highly anticipated 2025–26 racing season, which opens with the Holiday Meet from Friday, December 12, through Sunday, January 4, followed by the Classic Meet from Friday, January 30, through Saturday, May 2. For the first time in its history, Oaklawn will implement a three-week January break between the two premier meets, marking a new milestone in the track’s storied tradition.

“Oaklawn continues to set the standard as North America’s premier racing venue, and the demand we’re seeing for stall space reflects that reputation. This year, 130 trainers—including all of last season’s top ten—have applied for nearly 2,500 horses to compete for just 1,470 available stalls. That level of interest reaffirms Oaklawn’s position as one of the nation’s most competitive racing destinations and ensures our fans will witness the finest Thoroughbreds and connections from across the country,” said Louis A. Cella, President of Oaklawn.

To meet this growing demand, Oaklawn is expanding its backstretch facilities with two new barns currently under construction: a 24-stall receiving/stakes barn and a 36-stall pony/outrider barn.

The most notable 2025-2026 addition to the jockey colony is the nationally prominent Luis Saez, who will be riding regularly at Oaklawn for the first time after previously wintering in South Florida. A native of Panama, Saez owns riding titles in New York, Florida, and Kentucky and has amassed more than 3,800 victories and $250 million in purse earnings during a North American career that began in 2009.

Oaklawn’s new season features a powerhouse mix of returning top trainers and exciting new faces. Leading the way are veterans like Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Mark Casse, Peter Miller, Tom Amoss, Phil D’Amato, David Jacobson, John Ortiz, Saffie Joseph, Jr., Chris Hartman, Cipriano Contreras, Greg Compton, Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez, and Ron Moquett, all back to continue their pursuit of victories. Joining them this season are promising newcomers David Fawkes and siblings Ilkay and Mertkan Kantarmaci, bringing fresh energy and ambition to an already competitive trainer colony.

Oaklawn’s new season opens with a powerhouse lineup of returning riders, bringing back the depth, talent, and personality fans have come to love. Reigning leading rider Francisco Arrieta returns after a dominant meet, while Cristian Torres and Rafael Bejarano add even more strength to an already competitive colony. Rising star Tyler Bacon looks to build on his impressive momentum, and veterans Ramon Vazquez and Emmanuel Esquivel are primed for another strong campaign. Oaklawn favorite Ricardo Santana, Jr., one of the most accomplished jockeys in track history, is back and hungry for more wins. Rounding out the group are Keith Asmussen and Erik Asmussen, both poised to make a significant impact throughout the season. Together, this lineup sets the stage for another thrilling year of racing in Hot Springs.

Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario and Luis Saez join the Oaklawn jockey colony this season, bringing world-class talent and a résumé packed with championship victories.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME BACK STEVE ASMUSSEN

The career leader at Oaklawn with 993 wins, Asmussen is just seven victories shy of yet another milestone: becoming the first trainer to reach 1,000 wins at Oaklawn.

Steve Asmussen’s career at Oaklawn Park stands as one of the most decorated in North American horse racing. Over more than two decades, he has dominated the Oaklawn training ranks, collecting a record number of training titles (most recently totaling 14 through the 2024–2025 meet). He holds virtually every major career record here: total victories, stakes wins, and purse earnings, underscoring a sustained level of excellence rather than a few standout seasons.

Perhaps the most historic of his Oaklawn milestones came on February 20, 2023, when his horse Bet He’s Ready won the fifth race, delivering Asmussen his 10,000th career North American victory. That win made him the first trainer in North American history to reach the 10,000-win threshold. Oaklawn’s home-track crowd celebrated the achievement, and the track honored him by donating $10,000 in his name to worthy equine and jockey-support causes.

Beyond those headline milestones, Asmussen’s consistency at Oaklawn has remained remarkable. In the 2023–2024 meeting, he set a single-season Oaklawn record for stakes victories (11). Also, he set a new single-season record for purse earnings at Oaklawn, reinforcing that even decades into his career, he continues to raise the bar. His success at Oaklawn has contributed to his legacy as arguably the most accomplished trainer in modern American racing history.

Mark Casse with three-year-old colt Sandman.

Photo Credit SPECTRUM NEWS 1/JACKSON WANG

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse made a splash in his Oaklawn return last season, winning nine races – a single-season personal best in Hot Springs – including the $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby with Sandman.

Casse’s impact could be even bigger in 2025-2026 because several of his most prominent horses are ticketed for Oaklawn’s 64-day split season that begins Dec. 12. Read the Full Article Here
LAST SEASON’S WALL OF FAME