Starting December 12, when the 64-day split season kicks off, Oaklawn Park’s jockey room will see a notable increase in new talent joining its ranks. Among the biggest highlights for the 2025-2026 season is the arrival of prominent jockey Luis Saez, who will be riding regularly at Oaklawn for the first time after previously wintering in South Florida. Currently based at Churchill Downs, where the fall racing season concludes this Sunday, Saez’s move marks an exciting shift.
Saez’s agent, Ciaran McLaughlin, shared on Tuesday afternoon that discussions about moving had started last year but were initially postponed. However, he confirmed they are now planning to start from December 12 to January 4, with hopes to return when the season picks up again on January 30, expressing enthusiasm about Oaklawn’s strong racing and prize offerings.
Oaklawn has revamped its racing schedule for 2025-2026 by significantly shortening the January segment and introducing a four-day race week including Thursdays. The track’s calendar now features nearly three-day race weeks (Friday to Sunday) after extending its season to May in 2019 and beginning December openings in 2021. The upcoming season includes a 13-day holiday race period (Dec. 12-Jan. 4) and a 51-day classic season (Jan. 30-May 2).
Officials explained the schedule adjustment aims to avoid harsh January weather and enhance the jockey lineup during the four-day racing week starting solidly in February. The inclusion of 33-year-old Luis Saez is a major win for Oaklawn. Originally from Panama, Saez has secured riding titles in New York, Florida, and Kentucky, boasting over 3,800 wins and $250 million in earnings since starting his North American career in 2009.
Saez regularly rides for two-time Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality, who has triumphed in 8 out of 10 starts for trainer Brad Cox, including notable wins at Oaklawn like the 2021 Southwest (G3), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1). In 2024, Saez also captured the Belmont Stakes aboard Dornoch. He has clinched the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn and the Dubai World Cup (G1) aboard Mystic Guide, and won the prestigious Kentucky Oaks (G1) twice. Saez rode Secret Oath to multiple Oaklawn Stakes wins in 2022 and again won this event this year on Good Cheer for Cox.
Despite Cox’s regular presence at Oaklawn, Saez is not exclusively tied to one stable. McLaughlin highlighted the good relationships they have with most top trainers, allowing Saez to ride for a variety of them. Saez holds 11 career wins at Oaklawn, including six victories; his debut Oaklawn win came in the 2014 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) aboard champion Will Take Charge. His latest came last April in the Valley of the Vapors Stakes riding Princess Aliyah.
Notably, Secret Oath, Will Take Charge, and Princess Aliyah were all trained by the late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lucas, who was a longtime fixture at Oaklawn during winters and early springs before passing away at 89 on June 28. McLaughlin, who once assisted Lucas before becoming a successful trainer, called Lucas a significant influence and icon, expressing how much he will be missed this winter.
Other jockeys scheduled to ride regularly at Oaklawn in 2025-2026 include Jaime Torres, Evin Roman, Leil Gutierrez, Eswan Flores, Assael Espinoza, Johan Rosado, Alexis Centeno, Israel Hernandez, and Ronnie Huckabee. Torres won the 2024 Preakness (G1) riding She’s the Gray, another Lucas trainee who began 2024 with a win at Oaklawn. Roman earned the Eclipse Award as North America’s Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2017 and is close to his 1,000th career win. Espinoza, previously based in Northern California, recorded a career-best 155 wins in 2023, ranking 34th in North America and holding several Golden Gate Fields riding titles. Huckabee, Prairie Meadows’ 2025 champion apprentice jockey, has been acquiring horses at Oaklawn since training began in late October.
Fan Take: This influx of top-tier jockeys like Luis Saez signals a thrilling new chapter for Oaklawn and the sport overall, promising more competitive races and star power. Fans of horse racing should watch closely—these developments could invigorate the sport’s profile and deepen the talent pool, enhancing the excitement and quality of racing in the coming years.
