2026.07.23 Oaklawn Racing Update

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho Vice President of Marketing

cho@oaklawn.com, 501-623-4411 ext. 4201

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Millionaire multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Counting Stars can strengthen her year-end championship credentials in the $500,000 G1-Coaching Club American Oaks Saturday at Saratoga.

The 1 1/8-mile CCA Oaks, one of the country’s most prestigious events for 3 year-old fillies, is the 10th of 12 races, with probable post time 4:45 p.m. CDT.

Counting Stars won a meet-high three stakes races last season at Oaklawn and exits a sparkling 3 ¾-length victory over previously unbeaten Always a Runner in the G1-Acorn Stakes at 1 1/8 miles June 5 at Saratoga. Five-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr. has the return call on Counting Stars, who drew the rail and is the 2-1 second choice in the program.

Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Counting Stars won Oaklawn’s six-furlong $135,000 Astral Spa Overnight Stakes Dec. 14, the one-mile $150,000 Year’s End Stakes Dec. 27, and the $1 million G2-Fantasy Stakes at 1 1/16 miles March 27. Casse was Oaklawn’s third-leading trainer in 2025-2026.

Always a Runner (9-5 program favorite) and Counting Stars finished first and third, respectively, in the 1 1/8-mile G1-Kentucky Oaks May 1 at Churchill Downs. Nine horses are entered in the CCA Oaks. All starters carry 124 pounds.

Four Oaklawn-raced horses are entered in the six-furlong $400,000 G1-Bing Crosby Stakes for 3-year-olds and up Saturday at Del Mar. The Bing Crosby is a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million G1-Breeders’ Cup Sprint Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

The Oaklawn contingent includes Cornucopian, who won the six-furlong G3-Aristides Stakes May 30 in his last start at Churchill Downs for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Cornucopian ran the fastest six furlongs in Oaklawn history by a 3-year-old maiden (1:09.02) in a front-running 5 ¾-length debut romp Feb. 23, 2025. Cornucopian then tested two turns (1 1/8-miles) in Oaklawn’s $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby and finished a tiring fourth. He is seeking his first career Grade 1 victory.

The Bing Crosby also drew 2026 Oaklawn stakes winners Mad House and Gold Sweep. Mad House won the $500,000 G3-Count Fleet Sprint Handicap April 11. Gold Sweep won the $200,000 Lake Hamilton May 1. Both races were six furlongs. Gold Sweep and Mad House finished third and fifth, respectively, behind Cornucopian in the Aristides,

Millionaire Grade 1 winner Stronghold dead-heated for victory in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race April 17 at Oaklawn. Stronghold exits a victory in the seven-furlong Triple Bend Stakes May 31 at Santa Anita.

Finish Lines

Oaklawn allowance winner Kelly’s Girl is entered in the six-furlong $150,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes for fillies and mares Thursday at Delaware Park. … Oaklawn debut winner Hymn and Oaklawn allowance winner Cat On Time are entered in the $400,000 G2-Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes Saturday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn-raced Bodacious Bay is entered in the $150,000 G3-Monmouth Oaks for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Monmouth Park. … Oaklawn-raced Reagan’s Flame is entered in the $150,000 G3-Hendrie Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs over the all-weather surface Saturday at Woodbine. … Oaklawn Ratings Handicap winner Anakarina, Oaklawn allowance winner Pistol, Oaklawn maiden special weight graduate Going Steady, Oaklawn allowance and maiden special weight winner Dare to Fly, Oaklawn-raced Gin’s Beach Road and Oaklawn-raced Outrageously are entered in the $100,000 Love Sign Stakes for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at six furlongs Saturday at Colonial Downs.