2026.09.03 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, Sept. 3, 2026

Oaklawn stakes winner Goodall bids for her first career graded victory in the $225,000 Prioress (G3) for 3-year-old filly sprinters Sunday at Saratoga.

Probable post time for the 6-furlong Prioress is 12:50 p.m. (Central). It is the fourth of 12 races.

Goodall was a sparkling 4 ½-length winner of the $150,000 Purple Martin Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters March 14 at Oaklawn for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Spendthrift Farm. Goodall, from the first crop of Yaupon, Asmussen’s Grade 1 winner, covered 6 furlongs over a fast track in 1:08.78.

Goodall returned to win the Jersey Girl Stakes June 4 at Saratoga and exits a third-place finish behind Explora in the 7-furlong Test Stakes (G1) Aug. 8 at Saratoga. Explora won the $750,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3), a major Kentucky Oaks prep, March 1 at Oaklawn.

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez retains the mount on Goodall, who is scheduled to break from post 4 under 122 pounds.

Five other horses are entered in the Prioress, including Arkansas-bred Vekoma’s Diva for trainer George Weaver. Vekoma’s Diva beat state-breds in her March 28 career debut to give the nationally prominent Weaver his first career Oaklawn victory.



Asmussen, Oaklawn’s all-time leading trainer, is seeking his third Prioress victory after winning the race in 2017 with Vertical Oak and 2022 with Wicked Halo.

Vertical Oak made five career starts (all stakes at Oaklawn). Millionaire Wicked Halo won the inaugural $250,000 Matron Stakes for older female sprinters in 2023 at Oaklawn.

Finish Lines

Stall applications for Oaklawn’s 65-day split season (Nov. 27-May 1) are due Sept. 25. The stable area opens Oct. 15. The track opens for training Oct. 21. … Oaklawn maiden and allowance winner Kupuna is entered in the Bernard Baruch Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Thursday at Saratoga. … Oklahoma-bred Mystik Bayou, a 2-year-old half-brother to 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, is scheduled to make his career debut in Saturday’s first race at Saratoga for Arkansans Lance Gasaway, Daniel “Banks” Hamby and 4 G Racing (Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway). They also bred and raced Mystik Dan, who, in addition to the Kentucky Derby, won Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes (G3) in 2024. Like Mystik Dan, Mystik Bayou is trained by Oaklawn regular Kenny McPeek. Mystik Bayou (8-1 on the morning line) is by Wells Bayou, who won an allowance race in 2020 at Oaklawn before capturing the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. Lance Gasaway also campaigned Wells Bayou and said the horse was found to be infertile shortly after his stallion career began. … Oaklawn allowance winner Jokestar is entered in the Singspiel Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/8 miles on the turf Saturday at Woodbine. … Oaklawn allowance winner Cupids Crush is the 3-5 program favorite for the Princess Elaine Minnesota Distaff Turf Championship Stakes for registered Minnesota-bred fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Saturday at Canterbury Park. … Oaklawn-raced Sushi Man is the 4-1 second choice in the program for the Blair’s Cove Minnesota Turf Championship for registered Minnesota-bred colts and geldings, 3 and up, at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Canterbury Park. … Oaklawn allowance winner Distorted Pro is the 2-1 second choice in the program for the Minnesota Sprint Championship Stakes for registered Minnesota-bred colts and geldings, 3 and up, at 6 furlongs Saturday at Canterbury Park. … Oaklawn-raced Thunders Rocknroll is the 4-5 program favorite for the Minnesota Distaff Sprint Championship Stakes for registered Minnesota-bred fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 6 furlongs Saturday at Canterbury Park. … Oaklawn stakes winner Desert Gate is entered in the Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 mile Sunday at Del Mar. … Two Seven O, 3 for 3 last season at Oaklawn, including the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes, is entered in the Da Hoss Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Monday at Colonial Downs.