2026.10.20 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 20, 2026

After reaching one career milestone Sunday, Amir Mendoza, Oaklawn’s leading apprentice jockey last season, moved closer to another Monday.

Mendoza rode his first winner at Keeneland when he guided Pappy’s Revenge ($74) to a three-quarter length upset over Brigadier General in Sunday’s third race, a $16,000 claimer for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles.

Mendoza, 21, rode Pappy’s Revenge for co-owner/trainer Genaro Garcia, an Oaklawn regular who is the leading trainer this season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Mendoza, also based at Horseshoe Indianapolis, made his Keeneland debut in Sunday’s first race with a sixth-place finish aboard Turkish Pistachio for Garcia. Nationally prominent jockey Luis Saez won the first race aboard Miss Enchanted.

Mendoza and Saez each rode 34 winners at the 2025-2026 Oaklawn meeting to tie for seventh in the standings. Both riders are natives of Panama.

“I am particularly inspired by the career path Luis Saez has forged throughout his time as a jockey,” Mendoza said in an interview last spring at Oaklawn.

Mendoza added two more victories Monday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, increasing his career total in the United States to 96.

Mendoza won the fourth race aboard Healing Waters ($10.40) for owner/trainer John Haran and the eighth race aboard K P Kween ($24.20) for trainer Marcelino Torres. Haran, an Oaklawn regular, is the leading owner this season at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Mendoza enters Tuesday with 57 victories this season at Horseshoe Indianapolis to rank second in the standings.

Mendoza won 16 races at Horseshoe Indianapolis before losing his 5-pound apprentice weight allowance July 8. Mendoza finished his North American apprenticeship with 52 victories and $2.6 million in purse earnings. Mendoza won his first two races as a journeyman July 9 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Mendoza’s first career United States stakes victory came aboard Oaklawn-raced C. J.’s Storm, co-owned and trained by Haran, in the $100,000 Nobody Listens Handicap June 24 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Mendoza made his United States debut Nov. 19, 2025, at Churchill Downs and was winless in nine starts at its fall meeting. Mendoza recorded his first career North American victory Dec. 14, 2025, at Oaklawn and finished the meeting ranked ninth in purse earnings ($2,078,995).

Mendoza rode 35 winners in Panama before arriving in Kentucky last November.

Mendoza’s first career mount was Dec. 8, 2024, at Presidente Remon in Panama City. That came five days after graduating from the famed Laffit Pincay Jr. Technical Jockey Training Academy, which also produced Saez, who perennially ranks among North America’s leading riders in victories and purse earnings.

Mendoza also has two career victories at Churchill Downs (both as an apprentice last May) and Ellis Park.



Eight-time Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr. is also a native of Panama.

Finish Lines

Oaklawn opens for training Wednesday in advance of the 2026-2027 meeting (Nov. 27-May 1). Training hours this week are 7 a.m.-9 a.m. (Central). Officially timed workouts begin Oct. 27. … Oaklawn-raced Malibu Smart ($31.40) won the Dowager Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 ½ miles on the turf Sunday at Keeneland. … Oaklawn-raced Army’s Marauder finished third in the Raven Run Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies at 7 furlongs Saturday at Keeneland. … Oaklawn stakes winner Obliteration finished third in the Perryville Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs Saturday at Keeneland.