2026.02.12 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho Vice President of Marketing

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

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Next-race plans are pending for D’code following his eighth-place finish as the favorite in Friday’s $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds, trainer H. Ray Ashford Jr. said Wednesday morning.

D’code made his stakes and two-turn debut in the 1 1/16-mile Southwest, Oaklawn’s second of four Kentucky Derby qualifying races. D’code, in just his second lifetime start, led most of the race before weakening in the final furlong to finish 6 ¾ lengths behind late-running Silent Tactic.

The Southwest was delayed six days following a fierce winter storm late last month. Nine days of training (Jan. 24-Feb. 1) were also lost because the track was closed after being overwhelmed by ice, snow and arctic temperatures.

“Obviously, I was disappointed because we wanted a better outcome, but I wasn’t totally disappointed with his effort,” Ashford said. “I thought the horse, for what we asked of him, he actually ran pretty good, only getting beat 6 ¾ lengths. It was a pretty tall order and we knew that going in. We asked an awful lot of him. Missing the days and the circumstances, all in all, he ran pretty good.”

Ashford said D’code exited the Southwest in good order physically, but added his next start is up in the air.

“Kind of open right at the minute,” Ashford said. “Not really concrete on anything today.”

D’code, a gray son of deceased sprint champion Speightstown, recorded the fastest six-furlong time in Oaklawn history for a 2-year-old (1:09.57) in a front-running 8 ¼-length victory Dec. 14. D’code races for his breeder, Texas automobile dealer Tom Durant.

It’s Miller Time

After only 17 days of racing, Southern California-based trainer Peter Miller is already poised to set a single-season high for Oaklawn victories.

Miller enters Friday with a sparkling 30-percent win rate at the 2025-2026 meeting (eight for 27) and amassed $422,828 in purse earnings. Miller is tied for third in victories and ranks seventh in purse earnings.

Miller won nine races in 2024-2025 at Oaklawn to set a career high. Miller’s 20-horse string in 2025-2026 is overseen by assistant Ray Bryner, who previously worked at Oaklawn under trainer Kenny McPeek

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“It’s been great,” Miller said following Sunday’s final race. “Ray’s doing a great job and the whole team’s doing a good job. This is my third trip out here and everybody’s doing their job. We’re spotting the horses right and they’re running.”

Miller is scheduled to send out Dirty Rich in Monday’s $150,000 Ozark Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs. Dirty Rich won the $150,000 Advent Stakes at 5 ½ furlongs Dec. 12 to cap an opening-day double for the trainer.

Finish Lines

Racing resumes Friday at Oaklawn. First post is 12:30 p.m. CST. The four-day race week concludes with Monday’s special Presidents’ Day program. Oaklawn’s baseball cap giveaway promotion is also Monday. … Unbeaten Grade 2 winner Ewing is one of nine horses entered in Monday’s $150,000 Ozark Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs. Ewing will be making his 3-year-old debut for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, who, through 17 days of racing at Oaklawn, has meet highs for purse earnings ($1,870,282) and stakes victories (seven) and ranks second in victories (17). … Millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner La Cara worked a half-mile over a fast track in :50 Thursday morning for Casse, who is pointing the 4-year-old to the $400,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older females at 1 1/16 miles March 7. … Trainer H. Ray Ashford, who has a string of horses this season at Oaklawn, has 996 career North American victories, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization. … Trainer Genaro Garcia, who has a string of horses this season at Oaklawn, has 995 career North American victories, according to Equibase.