Oaklawn’s May Racing Forward

RACING FORWARD | JUNE 2026
 
While the 2025-2026 Oaklawn Racing Season has been completed, keeping an eye on popular runners during the stand continues through the year.
ARKANSAS DERBY WINNER RENAGADE EXPECTED IN BELMONT STAKES

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade, who finished a troubled 2nd to Golden Tempo in the Kentucky Derby after breaking from the dreaded #1 post position, is expected to attempt to make amends in the $2 million Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Saturday, June 6.

Other Oaklawn runners expected to compete in stakes races at Saratoga during Belmont Stakes week include:

Honeybee Stakes (G3) winner Explora and Fantasy Stakes (G2) winner Counting Stars in Friday’s G1-Acorn Stakes.
Bayakoa Stakes (G3) winner and Apple Blossom Handicap runner-up Nitrogen in Friday’s G1-Ogden Phipps.
Renaissance Stakes winner Obliteration in Saturday’s Woody Stephens Stakes (G1).
2025 Lake Ouachita Stakes winner Saudi Crown and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) runner Journalism in Saturday’s Metropolitan Mile (G1).
Oaklawn allowance race winner Stronghold in Saturday’s True North (G3).

WORLD’S BEST HORSE RANKINGS, WHITE ABARRIO RANKED FIFTH

White Abarrio, who delivered an impressive victory in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap over Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness Stakes winner Journalism, is currently the highest-ranked U.S.-based horse in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. White Abarrio is tied for fifth internationally with a 124 rating alongside English-bred Opera Ballo, winner of two Group stakes this year, including the Jebel Hatta Presented by Longines in Dubai.

Magnitude and Sovereignty are tied as the second highest-ranked U.S.-based horses with a 122 Longines rating, alongside Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline winner Hit Show. Magnitude earned a dominant victory in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap, while Sovereignty was runner-up in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap.
OBLITERATION, NAVAJO WARRIOR WIN PREAKNESS WEEKEND STAKES

Oaklawn runners Obliteration and Navajo Warrior stamped themselves as runners to watch with stakes victories at Laurel Park during the Preakness Stakes weekend.

Obliteration, an impressive winner of Oaklawn’s $150,000 Renaissance Stakes in his first start as a 3-year-old, won the $150,000 Chick Lang Stakes on the Preakness Stakes Day undercard, while Navajo Warrior, who won an Oaklawn allowance race in December, won the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) the day before.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Obliteration followed up his Renaissance victory with a second-place finish in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) in February prior to his 3 ½-length score in the Chick Lang.

Navajo Warrior, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., was a wire-to-wire winner of the Pimlico Special.

Other Oaklawn runners scoring stakes victories recently include allowance race winner Forged Steel in the May 25 $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita; Hot Springs Stakes winner Desert Gate in the $300,000 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park May 25; Lake Hamilton Stakes graduate Surveillance in Lone Star’s $100,000 Chamberlain Bridge Stakes May 25.
2026-2027 RACING CALENDAR
HORSEMEN INFORMATION

Racing Office Hours:

Monday through Friday – 9am – 3pm

Horsemen’s Bookkeeper Hours:

Monday through Friday – 9am – 3pm

Horsemen Directory:

Racing Office: 501-363-4302
Horsemen Bookkeeper Office: 501-363-4380 | Online: Click Here
Licensing, Arkansas Racing Commission: 501-363-4580
State Veterinarian, Dr. Joe Lokanc: 630-632-1601
Horsemen Services, Heath Shaffett: 225-287-0451
H.B.P.A.: 501-623-7641
Arkansas Breeders’ Office / Terri Hoffrogge: 501-624-6328

HORSEMEN’S RELATIONS – HEATH SHAFFETT

Heath Shaffett will be assisting horsemen with the upcoming season’s race day requirements, including dining reservations, seating arrangements, and hotel accommodations.

Direct: 501-301-0604

Mobile: 225-287-0451

hshaffett@oaklawn.com