2026.06.23 Oaklawn Racing Update

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho Vice President of Marketing

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Mark Casse’s stakes-winning fillies during the 2025-2026 Oaklawn meeting continue to shine.

Casse, the dual Hall of Fame trainer, struck again Saturday at Thistledown when Nerazurri dominated the $250,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes under two-time Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat.

The 3-5 favorirte, Nerazurri finished 4 ¾ lengths ahead of Oaklawn-raced Take Charge Omaha in the 1 1/8-mile race contested over a fast track. Nerazurri’s winning time was 1:51.60. Nerazurri ($3.40) is a three-time stakes winner.

Nerazurri made five starts this season at Oaklawn, winning a Dec. 20 starter allowance, the inaugural $135,000 Oaklawn Sports Overnight Stakes Jan. 1 and the $135,000 Trivista Overnight Stakes Feb. 27.

Nerazurri also ran second behind stablemate and champion Nitrogen in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) for older fillies and mares Feb. 7 and sixth in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 11.

Nitrogen returned to win the $500,000 G1-Ogden Phipps Stakes for older fillies and mares June 5 at Saratoga. Earlier on the card, Counting Stars, Casse’s three-time Oaklawn stakes winner, captured the $500,000 Acorn Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies.

Casse trains Nerazurri for Chicago-area owner Michael H. Eiserman, who privately purchased the filly following a runner-up finish behind Haulin Ice in the Princess Rooney Stakes (G3) Sept. 20 at Gulfstream Park. Haulin Ice is a multiple Oaklawn stakes winner and the leading accredited Arkansas-bred money winner in history ($1,242,750).

Nerazurri, a 4-year-old daughter of Protonico, has a 6-3-3 record from 18 lifetime starts and earnings of $571,738.

Casse won 28 percent of his starts (23 of 82) this season at Oaklawn. He ranked third in victories, second in purse earnings ($4,232,154) and first in stakes victories (10).

Take Charge Omaha ran fourth behind Nerazurri in the Oaklawn Sports Overnight.

Finish Lines

Multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Foie Gras finished second, beaten a head, in the $300,000 G2-Chicago Stakes for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs Saturday at Churchill Downs. Oaklawn-raced Evanescence finished third. … Oaklawn-raced Three Coats is entered in the $100,000 Checkered Flag Handicap for Indiana-bred fillies and mares, 3 and up, at six furlongs Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. … Oaklawn-raced Molly’s Town and C. J’s Storm are entered in the six-furlong $100,000 Nobody Listens Handicap for Indiana-breds, 3 and up, Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. … Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty is the 6-5 program favorite for the $2 million G1-Stephen Foster Stakes for older horses at 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Churchill Downs. Sovereignty, in his 4-year-old debut, finished second behind White Abarrio in the $1.25 million G2-Oaklawn Handicap April 18 at Oaklawn. White Abarrio is the 3-1 second choice in the program for the Stephen Foster.