2026.09.08 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, Sept. 8, 2026

An Oaklawn stakes winner rebounded Sunday at Del Mar.

Odds-on favorite Desert Gate took command on the inside turning for home and powered to a 5 ½-length victory in the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Desert Gate ($3.60) snapped a two-race losing streak in Shared Belief, a 1-mile race that had seven starters.

Desert Gate recorded front-running blowout victories in the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes March 26 at Oaklawn (9 ¾ lengths) and the Texas Derby May 25 at Lone Star Park (6 ¼ lengths) before disappointing efforts in his next two starts.

Desert Gate finished fourth in the Ohio Derby (G3) June 20 at Thistledown and fourth in the Iowa Derby July 11 at Prairie Meadows. Desert Gate was favored in both races.

Reunited Sunday with Hernandez, Desert Gate raced just off the pace before taking over at the quarter pole. The winning time over a fast track was 1:36.25.

A son of 2019 Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach, Desert Gate races for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman.

Desert Gate was one of the country’s top 2-year-olds after winning the Best Pal Stakes (G3) and finishing second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah Stakes (G1). The Hot Springs was his first start outside California.

The Shared Belief marked the fifth win in 10 starts overall for Desert Gate and raised his earnings to $661,725. He is a four-time stakes winner.

Oaklawn has moved the Hot Springs to opening day (Nov. 27) as part of a revamped stakes schedule in 2026-2027. The $150,000 race remains a 1-mile event for 3-year-olds.



The Hot Springs is the first of 61 stakes races, a single-season Oaklawn record, scheduled to be run in 2026-2027.

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 ($26.22) captured the Bernard Baruch Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Thursday at Saratoga. Eight-time Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr. rode Kapuna for trainer Norm Casse, an Oaklawn regular. … Heavily favored Oaklawn allowance winner Cupids Crush ($2.10) captured 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 ($6.60) captured 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-raced Thunders Rocknroll finished second in the Minnesota Distaff Sprint Championship Stakes for registered Minnesota-bred fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 6 furlongs Saturday at Canterbury Park. … Oaklawn allowance winner Distorted Pro finished third in the Minnesota Sprint Championship Stakes for registered Minnesota-bred colts and geldings, 3 and up, at 6 furlongs Saturday at Canterbury Park. … Oklahoma-bred Mystik Bayou, a 2-year-old half-brother to 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, finished third in his career debut Saturday 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.