An entry from the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) is set to return to racing at Oaklawn in 2026. Majestic Oops enters Friday’s six-furlong American Beauty Stakes, a $150,000 race for older mares, as the 8-5 favorite. The eighth race of ten at Oaklawn is slated for a 4:07 p.m. Central post time, following the day’s start at 12:30 p.m.
Originally planned for February 6th, the American Beauty Stakes was postponed to February 7th after Oaklawn lost three race dates at the end of January due to a winter storm. However, with insufficient entries for February 7th, the race was rescheduled as an “extra” event on Friday.
Majestic Oops will compete just six days after the champion mare Nitrogen’s 4-year-old debut in the $250,000 Bayacoa Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile event for older mares. Nitrogen was making her first start since placing second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) over 1 1/8 miles last November at Del Mar. Majestic Oops, meanwhile, will run at six years old in the American Beauty following a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Trainer Dan Ward, who条件Majestic Oops for Medallion Racing, Evan Tromer, Agave Racing Stables, and Sheila Regan, commented, “She took a well-earned break after the Breeders’ Cup and returned here refreshed. The connections chose to campaign her for one more season aiming for a graded stakes win. She has shown good form here and turned in a sharp performance early in the season.”
Last year at Oaklawn, Majestic Oops claimed two victories: the 1 1/16-mile Entry Level Allowance and the 1-mile $200,000 Dig-A-Diamond Stakes, both contested in April. The Dig-A-Diamond Stakes marked Ward’s first Oaklawn stakes victory since stepping out on his own in mid-2023 after years as an assistant to Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer.
In Majestic Oops’ latest two starts on a dirt track, she was second in the Oaklawn Allowance race in January 2025 and third in the seven-furlong Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga last August, finishing behind Hope Road and Scylla. Notably, Hope Road placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly Sprint (G1), and Scylla went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
With a record of 7 wins, 11 second-place finishes, and 4 thirds from 33 starts, Majestic Oops has earned $636,559. Her other significant stakes win came in the 1 1/16-mile Lady’s Secret at Monmouth Park last June 14.
Ward believes her optimal distance is around a mile, stating, “She’s won at a mile and a sixteenth, but that might be a bit of a stretch for her.”
In the American Beauty Stakes, Majestic Oops will leave from post 5, ridden by Francisco Arrieta. The six-horse field includes Tapit Quick, Asternia, Benedetta, Gloriette, and Velvet Devil.
Among them, Benedetta (2-1) and Asternia (9-2) are former winners at Oaklawn over six furlongs. Asternia secured the $200,000 Purple Martin Award for 3-year-old fillies in 2024 with trainer Randy Morse, while Benedetta took the 2025 American Beauty under Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on February 12, 2026, and first appeared in the News section.
Fan Take: Majestic Oops returning to Oaklawn with top form signals exciting opportunities for fans to watch a proven Breeders’ Cup competitor chase graded stakes success. This race highlights the ongoing depth and quality in female turf racing, promising thrilling competition that helps elevate the sport’s profile.
