2025.08.07 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Thursday, August 7, 2025

After winning the country’s biggest race for 3-year-olds in 2024, Oaklawn stakes winner Mystik Dan eyes a major turf prize Saturday at Colonial Downs when he makes his grass debut in the prestigious G1-Arlington Million at 1 ¼ miles.

Mystik Dan is trying to become the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby and Arlington Million, which debuted in 1981 at the now defunct Arlington Park.

Probable post time for the Arlington Million, the 11th of 12 races, is 4:54 p.m. CDT.

Mystik Dan’s 14 lifetime starts have all been on dirt. His resume is highlighted by a nose victory in the Kentucky Derby and a runaway triumph earlier that year in Oaklawn’s $800,000 G3-Southwest Stakes.

Mystik Dan exits a fourth-place finish in the $1 million G1-Stephen Foster Stakes at 1 1/8 miles June 28 at Churchill Downs.

Under a ground-saving ride from regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr., Mystik Dan was beaten just 2 ½ lengths by Mindframe, one of the country’s top horses. It was the third consecutive strong start for Mystik Dan, who finished second, beaten a nose by millionaire Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown, in the $200,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes May 3 at Oaklawn and won the $275,000 G3-Blame Stakes May 31 at Churchill Downs.

Mystik Dan (9-2 on the morning line) drew the rail for the Arlington Million, which attracted a field of eight. All starters carry 122 pounds. Mystik Dan tuned up for the Arlington Million with a five-furlong workout on the turf Aug. 1 at Saratoga for Kenny McPeek, Oaklawn’s third-leading trainer last season.

The Arlington Million is one of seven stakes races on the Colonial Downs card.

Multiple Oaklawn stakes winners G W’s Girl and Kimchi Cat are entered in the seven-furlong $100,000 Tyson Gilpin for 3-year-old fillies, along with unbeaten Oaklawn allowance race winner Decadent for McPeek.

Kimchi Cat is also entered in Sunday’s $200,000 Audubon Oaks for 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Ellis Park.

Three Oaklawn-raced runners are entered in the one-mile $300,000 Ellis Park Derby Sunday at Ellis Park.

The most prominent Oaklawn-raced entrant is 8-5 program favorite Admiral Dennis, who exits a 3 ¼-length victory in the $200,000 Delaware Derby June 14 at Delaware Park.

Admiral Dennis finished sixth in the $1.25 million G2-Rebel Stakes Feb. 23 at Oaklawn for trainer Brad Cox. The Rebel was Oaklawn’s third Kentucky Derby qualifying race. Supplemental nominee Brodeur, a two-time Oaklawn winner, and Big Boat are also entered in the Ellis Park Derby.

Big Boat finished second behind eventual Arkansas Derby winner Sandman in a Dec. 13 allowance race at Oaklawn

In other races Sunday at Ellis Park, multiple Oaklawn stakes winners Banishing and Frosted Departure are entered in the $200,000 R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at one mile and Oaklawn stakes winner Lemon Muffin is entered in the $200,000 Groupie Doll Stakes for fillies and mares.

Lemon Muffin will be making her first start for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Lemon Muffin was with Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who died in June, the last two winters at Oaklawn. Oaklawn allowance winners Taxed and Impel and Oaklawn-raced Alpine Princess are also entered in the Groupie Doll.

Finish Lines

Stall applications for Oaklawn’s 2025-2026 meeting are due Sept. 18. The 64-day meeting is scheduled to run Dec. 12-May 2. … Oaklawn allowance winner Game Warden finished third in the $150,000 Birdstone Stakes for older horses at 1 ¾ miles Wednesday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn maiden special weight graduate Innovator is entered in the $150,000 G3-Mahony Stakes at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Sunday at Saratoga. Innovator will be making his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. … Oaklawn-raced La Houligan and Oaklawn maiden winner Lured Away and are entered in the $100,000 Petramalo Mile Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday at Colonial Downs. … Oaklawn stakes winner Ain’t Life Grand is the 2-1 program favorite for the $75,000 Cyclones Handicap for Iowa-bred colts and geldings Saturday at Prairie Meadows. … Oaklawn-raced Sushi Man is the 7-5 program favorite for the $75,000 Minnesota Derby for Minnesota-bred colts and geldings Saturday at Canterbury Park.