Oaklawn drew a total crowd of 104,250, averaging over 13,000 attendees every Saturday. The event encompassed 132 races, including 15 stakes races, across 13 race days, with an average of nearly 10 horses competing per race.
Luis A. Serra, Oaklawn’s president, stated, “The Holiday Meet delivered precisely what we aim for at Oaklawn: high-quality racing, strong fan involvement, and significant momentum.” He added that the competitive fields and athlete enthusiasm—both on and off the track—bolster Oaklawn’s status as a leading winter racing venue.
The stakes and prize money underscored the meet’s strength, with total purses reaching $10,052,000, averaging $773,230 daily. On-track betting increased by 17%, bringing the total wagered over the 13 days to $93,484,232—a nearly 27% rise from the previous year despite one fewer day of racing. For comparison, the handle over 14 days from December 6, 2024, to January 5, 2025, was $73,765,539, signaling growing betting enthusiasm nationwide.
The Holiday Meet also marked several milestones at Oaklawn. Trainer Steve Asmussen achieved his 1,000th career win there, solidifying his legendary status. John Ed Anthony and Cristian Torres each celebrated their 300th wins, Walter De La Cruz hit 200 wins, and Tyler Bacon surpassed 200 career victories.
In earnings, three jockeys surpassed $1 million: Cristian Torres led with $1,231,346, followed by Luis Saez with $1,123,042, and Francisco Arrieta with $1,046,204. Steve Asmussen was the sole trainer to earn over $1 million in purses, finishing with $1,020,890.
Competition was intense, featuring 52 jockeys with at least one race, 30 of whom won. A total of 149 trainers raced, with 64 achieving wins. Owner involvement was robust, with 661 owners entering horses and 117 securing at least one victory.
Overall, 1,066 horses participated, 223 raced twice, and 130 horses reached the winner’s circle. Notably, three horses won multiple races: Counting Stars (two wins, $153,900), Nerazurri (two wins, $117,000), and Jetpack (two wins, $36,600).
Leading figures included jockey Cristian Torres with 18 wins, trainer Steve Asmussen with 13 wins, and owner Tom Durant with 4 wins.
Oaklawn’s classic race meets will resume Friday, January 30, 2026, highlighted by the Southwest Stakes opening weekend. The weekend also features major live Horseplayer contests: the Southwest Showdown on Saturday, January 31, and the Oaklawn Horseplayers Championship on Sunday, February 1. These events will unite top horseplayers nationwide to compete for the 2026 or 2027 National Horseplayers Championship, the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, and substantial prizes. Registration information is available at Oaklawn.com/racing.
The Classic Meet runs through Saturday, May 2, 2026, showcasing Oaklawn’s marquee stakes and elite thoroughbred talent as the path to the Triple Crown unfolds in Hot Springs.
This summary is based on an article originally published by Paulick Report on January 6, 2026.
Fan Take: This update highlights Oaklawn’s rising prominence as a winter racing hub with growing attendance, betting, and competitive milestones. For horse racing fans, these trends signal a thriving, vibrant future for the sport, with exciting events and increased opportunities for engagement nationwide.
