Following widespread cancellations last week, weather conditions have somewhat improved for the racing community. Although the eastern U.S. continues to experience single-digit temperatures and breezy conditions, tracks like Charles Town, Laurel Park, and Aqueduct have still opted to cancel their Saturday races, with Aqueduct also calling off its Sunday events due to the cold.
This Friday, February 6th, promises a jam-packed schedule as the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park and the Wizards Stakes at Aqueduct, originally slated for Saturday, January 31st, have been rescheduled to Friday. Along with Saturday’s Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park and the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, this weekend will feature four Kentucky Derby prep races, each awarding 20 points to their winners.
Among the highlights is Breeders’ Cup filly sprint champion Splendora, making her 2026 debut in the seven-furlong Grade 2 D. Wayne Lucas Stakes, which is part of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes card on Saturday. This weekend also sees the return of two Eclipse Award Champions in action: champion 3-year-old filly Nitrogen is favored in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Bayacoa at Oaklawn, while champion 2-year-old filly Super Corredora will head to Santa Anita to begin her path toward the first Friday in May in the one-mile Las Virgenes Stakes on Sunday.
Friday’s Key Races:
4:20 pm – Wizards Stakes at Aqueduct: Chad Brown’s stable appears strong with top contenders Ottinho (favorite at 9-5) and Schoolyard Superman (second favorite at 2-1). Both have impressive maiden victories on the Aqueduct dirt track. Jose Lezcano gets his first ride on Ottinho, a half-brother to 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner Quality Road, and a full sibling to Grade 3 winner Pritiana. Mailata, a Pennsylvania-bred with three wins, is in the field, aiming to continue his winning streak.
5:40 pm – Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park: Deecord, an impressive debut winner, returns for his second career start over 1 1/16 miles against a competitive field including top contenders from the Smarty Jones Stakes such as winner Strategic Risk. Other major stakes performers Buetan and Soldier N Diplomat will also compete.
Saturday’s Highlight:
- 5:13 pm – Grade 3 Bayacoa at Oaklawn Park: Nitrogen starts her 2026 campaign against six rivals in this race. She ended last year strong with runner-up finishes in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Grade 1 Spinster, having previously won the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes. One formidable challenger is Nerazzurri, on a two-race winning streak including a decisive victory in the Oaklawn Sports Overnight Stakes. Quiet Side, trained by John Ortiz and last year’s Grade 3 Honeybee winner, returns to Oaklawn seeking to build on her past performances.
This article originally appeared on February 5, 2026, in the Paulick Report’s Features section.
Fan Take:
This weekend’s card is crucial for shaping the early landscape of the 2026 Kentucky Derby trail, spotlighting top 3-year-old hopefuls and potential stars in the making. For horse racing enthusiasts, the resumption of these key events after weather delays signals a renewed energy in the sport, promising exciting storylines and high-stakes competition as we move closer to the Triple Crown season.
