Oaklawn Cancels Racing Feb. 13-15 Due to Winter Weather

Due to the predicted winter weather expected in Hot Springs, Ark., over the next few days Oaklawn Park has canceled racing during its extended Presidents Day weekend, which would have included the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) and $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Feb. 15. Brad Cox-trained champions Essential Quality and Monomoy Girl were set to make their respective 2021 debuts in those races.

Oaklawn has rescheduled three graded stakes and one listed stakes that were originally set for the canceled Feb. 13-15 cards. The Southwest, Bayakoa, and $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3)—the latter originally scheduled for this coming Saturday—will take place the following Saturday, Feb. 20. The $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes (originally on the Razorback undercard) and $150,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes (originally Feb. 20) will be run Sunday, Feb. 21.

"The weather forecast does not look promising this weekend between the ice and frigid temperatures, so out of consideration for the safety of the horses, our horsemen, and fans, we wanted to make this call as soon as possible," Oaklawn general manager Wayne Smith said. "We appreciate the cooperation we have received from our horsemen and Racing Commission. Though we are frustrated Mother Nature has thrown us a curveball, our rescheduled stakes will create a spectacular weekend of racing next week."

Cox, who recently received the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer, credited Oaklawn's decision to delay the races a week. 

"I think it's the right decision to move the stakes to next Saturday given the forecast," Cox said. "Waiting doesn't affect my plans with either Essential Quality or Monomoy Girl. They'll be fine. I would not have run either of them on a bad track."

Godolphin's Essential Quality and Monomoy Girl, now owned by Spendthrift Farm after being purchased for $9.5 million from the ELiTE consignment at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's premier breeding stock sale in Lexington, were two of Cox's four Breeders' Cup winners last fall at Keeneland. Essential Quality took the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) and Monomoy Girl won her second edition of the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Also probable for the Southwest are Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Keepmeinmind, whose trainer Robertino Diodoro Wednesday said that the colt would remain at Oaklawn and scratch from the Feb. 13 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots; multiple grade 1 winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile fourth Jackie's Warrior trained by Steve Asmussen, who plans to also start a second horse according to Oaklawn's racing department; and Dallas Stewart-trained Last Samurai.

Oaklawn expects to run the Thursday and Friday cards as scheduled. Post time is at 1 p.m. CT on both days. The casino and simulcast racing will remain open all weekend. No reservations will be required for seating in the simulcast area this weekend only, first come, first served.

Entries for the Feb. 20 card will be taken on Sunday, Feb. 14. Oaklawn will run 11 races next Saturday and 10 races next Sunday.