2026.07.28 Oaklawn Racing Update

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho Vice President of Marketing

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

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Millionaire multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Counting Stars continues to build a championship resume.

Counting Stars moved to the head of the 3-year-old filly class with a front-running 4 ¼-length victory over Always a Runner in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Saratoga.

The CCA Oaks marked Counting Stars’ second consecutive victory over Always a Runner, who had risen to the top of the division after capturing the Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs. Counting Stars closed well to finish third in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks.

Counting Stars was a 3 ¾-length winner of the rematch, the 1 1/8-mile Acorn Stakes (G1) June 5 at Saratoga. She captured the CCA Oaks in more decisive fashion.

After Always a Runner (on the rail) drew abreast turning for home, Counting Stars pulled away in the final 150 yards under Irad Ortiz Jr. to complete 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48.98. Counting Stars ($4.08) was the even-money favorite in the seven-horse field. All starters carried 124 pounds.

Counting Stars won a meet-high three stakes races last season at Oaklawn for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse and owner West Point Thoroughbreds.

Counting Stars won Oaklawn’s inaugural six-furlong $135,000 Astral Spa Overnight Dec. 14, one-mile $150,000 Year’s End Dec. 27 and the $1 million Fantasy (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 27. The Fantasy was the country’s richest Kentucky Oaks qualifying race in 2026. Counting Stars went through Oaklawn’s three-race Kentucky Oaks qualifying series, also finishing second in the $750,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) March 1.

Casse was Oaklawn’s third-leading trainer in 2025-2026 with 23 victories, including a meet-high 10 stakes, from just 82 starts.

Counting Stars, by Honor A. P., has a 6-1-1 record from 10 career starts and earnings of $1,660,606. She is a five-time stakes winner. Counting Stars was purchased for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in training.

Counting Stars became the third Fantasy winner in the last four years to capture the prestigious CCA Oaks, following Wet Paint (2023) and Thorpedo Anna (2024). Thorpedo Anna, a multiple Oaklawn stakes winner, was the 2024 Horse of the Year.

Finish Lines

Oaklawn-raced Blackout Time is entered in the nine-furlong Curlin Stakes for 3-year-olds Wednesday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn-raced Fantastical ($10.20) won the $150,000 Trillium Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 1/8 miles over an all-weather surface Saturday at Woodbine. … Favored Oaklawn Ratings Handicap winner Anakarina ($3.60) won the six-furlong $100,000 Love Sign Stakes for fillies and mares, 3 and up, Saturday at Colonial Downs. Oaklawn maiden special weight and allowance winner Dare to Fly finished third. … Millionaire multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Haulin Ice finished second in the $250,000 Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) Sunday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn debut winner Hymn finished second in the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2) Saturday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn-raced Bodacious Bay finished second in the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3) Saturday at Monmouth Park.