5/19/26 Barn Notes
Compiled by Robert Yates
Oaklawn’s all-time leading trainer stuck again with an Oaklawn-raced horse in the Chick Lang Stakes as Obliteration, the 3-5 favorite under Jose Ortiz, took command in the final furlong enroute to a 3 ½-length victory in the $150,000 race for 3-year-old sprinters Saturday at Laurel.
Obliteration, in his first start since a trip to the Middle East, marked the record-extending seventh Chick Lang victory for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who saddled the son of Violence for owners Leland Ackerley, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe and John Cilia. Six of those winners were also winners at Oaklawn, where Asmussen has amassed a record 15 training titles.
Obliteration ($3.40) opened 2026 with a 7 ½-length victory in the $150,000 Renaissance Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters Jan. 3 at Oaklawn. Obliteration then finished second in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) at about 1 mile Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia.
Racing Saturday over a fast track, Obliteration covered 6 furlongs in 1:09.77. Obliteration has a 4-4-0 record from nine lifetime starts and earnings of $983,550. Obliteration is out of Oaklawn-raced I’mclassyandsassy.
Asmussen also won the Chick Lang in 2008 (Lantana Mob), 2015 (Holy Boss), 2018 (Mitole), 2020 (Yaupon), 2021 (Mighty Mischief) and 2023 (Ryvit). Lantana Mob, Holy Boss, Mitole and Ryvit all won Oaklawn’s Bachelor Stakes, then the Chick Lang in their next start. Mighty Mischief won the Chick Lang after capturing a first-level allowance at Oaklawn in his previous start.
Lantana Mob won the Chick Lang when it was known as the Hirsch Jacobs Stakes. The Chick Lang was run at Laurel because of redevelopment at Pimlico, the race’s traditional home.
In other stakes races last weekend at Laurel involving Oaklawn-raced horses, favored Navajo Warrior and San Siro finished first and third, respectively, in Friday’s Pimlico Special (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/16 miles; Little Miss Curlin finished third in Friday’s Miss Preakness (G3) for 3-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs; Faust finished second, beaten a neck, in Saturday’s Maryland Sprint (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs; and Benedetta finished second in Saturday’s Skipat for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 6 furlongs.
Navajo Warrior ($4.60) ran twice this season at Oaklawn, winning a Dec. 28 starter allowance and running third in a Feb. 14 allowance for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Both races were 1 1/16 miles.
Finish Lines
Favored Oaklawn stakes winner Grace Is Free ($4) rallied for a 2 ½-length victory in the Goldfinch Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters Friday at Prairie Meadows. Oaklawn maiden winners Always Spiteful and Private Debbie ran second and third, respectively. … Jockey Amir Mendoza, Oaklawn’s champion apprentice this season, recorded his first career victory at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s first race aboard Rojo Rita ($5.86) for trainer Dallas Stewart. Mendoza, 21, made his American riding debut last November at Churchill Downs and was winless in nine mounts at its fall meet. Mendoza subsequently won 34 races to tie for seventh in the Oaklawn standings. Mendoza, a native of Panama, is represented by agent Joe Santos. Rojo Rita was exiting a runner-up finish in an April 17 allowance sprint at Oaklawn for Stewart, who won 13 races overall in Hot Springs to tie for 11th in the standings. … Oaklawn-raced Barossa ($16.80) won the San Juan County Commissioners Championship Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles Sunday at Sunray Park. Multiple Oaklawn winner Ruggs finished third. … Oaklawn maiden special weight graduate Little Jamie finished third in the Monroe Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 mile on the turf Saturday at Gulfstream Park. … Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen enters Thursday with 999 career victories at Churchill Downs, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization. Asmussen is the all-time winningest trainer at Churchill Downs and Oaklawn (1,055 victories).
