2026.10.6 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, Oct 6, 2026

Oaklawn-raced horses have now accounted for eight Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events since the 2025-2026 meeting ended last May.

Evanescence became the latest, overhauling Praying on the outside in deep stretch to win the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, Saturday at Keeneland.

The 6 ½-furlong TCA Stakes was a “Win and You’re In” for the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

Evanescence ($7.98) finished a neck ahead of Oaklawn-raced and defending champion Praying, who nearly wired her six rivals. Jose Ortiz rode Evanescence, a 4-year-old daughter of Munnings, for trainer Eddie Kenneally and owner Green Lantern Stables. The winning time over a fast track was 1:16.57.

Evanescence finished third in the $250,000 Matron Stakes for older fillies and mares last March at Oaklawn. The 6-furlong Matron has been a highly productive race since it debuted in 2023.

Millionaire multiple Grade 2 winner Wicked Halo edged millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner Matareya to capture the inaugural Matron. Wicked Halo ran third in the 2022 Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Haulin Ice ($1,307,300) – the all-time leading accredited Arkansas-bred career money winner – won the 2024 and 2025 Matron and finished sixth in last year’s Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

The TCA marked the first career stakes victory, and fifth in 12 starts overall for Evanescence, increasing her earnings to $668,509. Evanescence has never missed the board, also finishing second once and third six times.

Praying finished second in the $145,000 Southern Hospitality Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies in 2025 at Oaklawn.

Other Oaklawn-raced horses to capture “Win and You’re In” events since the 2025-2026 meeting ended are Nitrogen (G1 Ogden Phipps Stakes/Distaff), Magnitude (G1 Stephen Foster Stakes/Classic), Baby Vino (G1 Haskell Stakes/Classic), Sovereignty (G1 Whitney Stakes/Classic), Hymn (G1 Forego/Dirt Mile), Kerry’s Kiss (G3 Princess Rooney/Filly & Mare Sprint) and Forged Steel (G1 Goodwood/Classic).



Finish Lines

Oaklawn’s stable area opens Oct. 15. The track opens for training Oct. 21 in advance of the 2026-2027 meeting (Nov. 27-May 1). … Arkansan David Workman (Workman Ranch) won three races at the recently concluded Churchill Downs September meeting to tie for leading owner. Workman Ranch has 17 career victories, the first coming May 4, 2024, at Oaklawn, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization. Workman Ranch has three career victories at Oaklawn. … Mystik Bayou, a 2-year-old half-brother to 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, broke his maiden by 4 ¼ lengths in Saturday’s first race at Belmont Park. Under eight-time Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr., Mystik Bayou ($14.56) ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in a sharp 1:42.03. Like Mystik Dan, Kenny McPeek trains Mystik Bayou for his breeders, Arkansans Lance Gasaway, Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway (4 G Racing) and Daniel “Banks” Hamby. Mystik Dan won the $800,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) in 2024 at Oaklawn. … Oaklawn-raced Regaled ($9.40) won the Delaware Handicap (G3) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Delaware Park. Multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Nerazurri finished third. … Millionaire multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Counting Stars finished second in the Spinster Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 1/8 miles Sunday at Keeneland. … Millionaire Oaklawn-raced Tawny Port finished second in the Canadian International Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ½ miles on the turf Saturday at Woodbine. … Oaklawn-raced Paradise City(interference early in the race) was disqualified from first and placed second in the Chillingworth Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 6 ½ furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita. … Oaklawn starter-allowance winner Cooke Creek finished second in the Battery Park Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Delaware Park. … Oaklawn stakes winner Mad House finished third in the Phoenix Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs Friday at Keeneland. … Oaklawn-raced Beauty Reigns finished third in the Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 6 ½ furlongs Thursday at Belmont Park. … Oaklawn-raced Senior Officer finished third the Vosburgh Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 7 furlongs Thursday at Belmont Park.