4/24/26 Barn Notes
Compiled by Robert Yates
Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has had the Midas touch with older horses this season at Oaklawn.
Joseph moved to seven for 19 at the meeting after White Abarrio, 7, toppled reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty and 2025 Preakness winner Journalism in Saturday’s $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at 1 1/8 miles.
White Abarrio came on the heels of Haulin Ice, 5, winning the $150,000 Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes Feb. 20 and $250,000 Matron Stakes March 27; Skippylongstocking, 7, winning the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) March 21; and Claret Beret, 5, winning the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 11.
Haulin Ice won the Downthedustyroad in the fastest six furlongs by a female in Oaklawn history (1:08.75). Claret Beret won the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom in 1:42.21, the race’s fastest time since future Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (1:42.19) in 2011.
Skippylongstocking won the 1 1/8-mile Essex in what was then a meet-best 1:48.82. White Abarrio (1:47.49) subsequently clocked the fastest Oaklawn Handicap since future two-time Horse of the Year Cigar (1:47.22) in 1995.
“I think it’s just about horses reaching their physical maturity, not only physically, but mentally,” Mark Cornett, co-owner of White Abarrio and Haulin Ice, said Sunday morning. “A horse has a chance to fulfill, really, what they’re bred to do. So many horses get pulled out of training at 3 or 4. They’re not at their physical and mental peak and it’s just nice to be able to see a sound racehorse, what they can do when they’re physically and mentally mature.”
A gray son of 2015 Oaklawn Handicap winner Race Day, White Abarrio has an 11-3-3 record from 26 lifetime starts and earnings of $8,445,170, the 28th-higest total in North American history.
White Abarrio’s glowing and extensive resume includes victories in the 2022 Florida Derby (G1), 2023 Whitney Stakes (G1), 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1).
“And now this, beating those two,” Cornett said, referring to 4-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism in the Oaklawn Handicap.
Cornett said White Abarrio’s two major remaining goals are the Breeders’ Cup (Classic or Dirt Mile) Oct. 31 at Keeneland and the Pegasus World Cup before retiring to begin a stallion career in 2027. The Pegasus is traditionally run in January at Gulfstream Park.
Joseph entered Ultimate Authority, 5, in the one-mile $200,000 Dig a Diamond Stakes for older fillies and mares Saturday at Oaklawn.
The Jockeys' Race
Jockey Ramon Vazquez rode two winners Thursday to take a 65-62 lead over Cristian Torres in the race for leading rider. There are six days remaining in the 2025-2026 meeting.
Vazquez won the sixth race aboard Bayou Flyer ($18.60) for trainer Kinnon LaRose and the eighth race aboard favored Pink Ruby ($3.80) for trainer Lindsay Schultz. Torres didn’t ride Thursday because he was at Churchill Downs to work Oaklawn stakes winners Silent Tactic and Search Party for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse in advance of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively.
Francisco Arrieta (59 victories) is third in the Oaklawn standings. Torres and Arrieta are two-time Oaklawn riding champions. Vazquez is seeking his first Oaklawn riding title.
Finish Lines
Training was shortened 90 minutes Friday morning at Oaklawn because of approaching thunderstorms. … Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, 60, recorded his meet-leading 60th victory this season with favored Hand It Over ($3.20) in Thursday’s first race under Keith Asmussen. It was also Steve Asmussen’s meet-high 23rd victory as an owner and 175th overall at Oaklawn. … Trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs won two races Thursday, pushing his career Oaklawn total to 394. Moquett won the seventh race with favored Biloba ($5.80) and the ninth race with favored Maxxus ($3.20). Rafael Bejarano rode both winners. … Multiple Oaklawn stakes winner G W’s Girl is targeting the $100,000 Rehoboth Stakes May 30 at Delaware Park for her 4-year-old debut, trainer Greg Compton said Friday morning. The Rehoboth is for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at six furlongs. Unraced since September, G W’s Girl has four published workouts this month at Oaklawn in advance of her 2026 debut. G W’s Girl won the $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes and $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes last season at Oaklawn. Mockingbird runner-up Shisospicy went on to capture an Eclipse Award as North America’s champion female sprinter. … Compton said Embrace the Moment, unraced since the Pocahontas Stakes (G3) Sept. 13 at Churchill Downs, is ready to make her 3-year-old debut after a five-furlong bullet workout from the gate (:59.80) Wednesday morning. … Recently retired Oaklawn stakes winner Jenkin is booked to 2021 Arkansas Derby runner-up Caddo River, Steven Anthony said in a text message Wednesday morning. Anthony, a member of the Arkansas Racing Commission, is the son of John Ed Anthony (Shortleaf Stable), who bred and raced Jenkin and Caddo River. Jenkin won the $175,000 Year’s End for 2-year-old fillies in 2024 to give trainer Lindsay Schultz her first career Oaklawn stakes victory. Shortleaf stands Caddo River at McDowell Farm south of Hot Springs. … Trainer Genaro Garcia, who had a string of horses this season at Oaklawn, recorded his 1,000th career North American victory April 15 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization.
