by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|05.06.2023|2:16pm ‘It Was A Little Bittersweet’: Von Hemel Gets First Win Of Oaklawn Meet On Eve Of Father’s Retirement On the eve of his father’s retirement, trainer Kelly Von Hemel notched his first victory of the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting with Ain’t Life Grand in Friday’s inaugural $150,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes for older horses at 1 1/16 miles. Ain’t Life Grand’s victory came one day before trainer Don Von Hemel of Hot Springs retired (Saturday […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|05.06.2023|2:04pm Torres Clinches First Oaklawn Leading Rider Title Jockey Cristian Torres clinched his first Oaklawn riding title when favored Unifying won Friday’s ninth race, a $104,000 allowance sprint for 3-year-old fillies, for trainer Riley Mott. Unifying ($5) was Torres’ third victory on the card and 98th at the 2022-2023 meeting that began Dec. 9. Francisco Arrieta had 83 victories following the ninth race, […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.29.2023|1:14pm ‘Grateful For What We’ve Got’: Compton Savoring Personal-Best Oaklawn Meet Trainer Greg Compton waited more than 14 years for his first career Oaklawn double. He waited less than a month for a second. Compton saddled two winners April 21 to increase his meet total to 10, a single-season personal Oaklawn best. Compton won nine races at the 2021-2022 Oaklawn meeting. A North Little Rock, Ark., […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.29.2023|12:57pm Proxy Adds To Stidham’s Oaklawn Stakes Totals, Could Start Next In Stephen Foster Trainer Michael Stidham added to his remarkable Oaklawn record when Proxy captured the $1-million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 22. Proxy, a homebred for famed Godolphin LLC, represented the 21st career Oaklawn victory for Stidham. Nearly 40 percent (eight) have come in stakes company. “I like that stat,” Stidham said moments after Proxy’s victory under Joel […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.28.2023|2:41pm ‘Truly A Horseman’: Don Von Hemel To Retire At End Of Oaklawn Meet In his case, “V” stood for victory. Don Von Hemel of Hot Springs will retire May 6, final day of the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting, drawing the curtain on a 67-year career that saw him rise to legendary status in Nebraska and becoming one of the leading trainers in Oaklawn history. Von Hemel, 88, was Oaklawn’s […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.23.202304.23.2023|3:13pm3:50pm Cox Sets Oaklawn Single-Season Record For Stakes Wins Two-time Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox set a single-season Oaklawn record for stakes victories by a trainer when heavily favored Merlazza captured Saturday’s inaugural $150,000 Valley of the Vapors for 3-year-old fillies going one mile at the Hot Springs, Ark. track. The Valley of the Vapors represented the ninth stakes victory at the meeting for […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.22.2023|2:11pm Tyler’s Tribe Breezes Toward Oaklawn’s Bachelor Iowa-bred star Tyler’s Tribe, under regular rider Kylee Jordan, worked an easy three furlongs Saturday morning at Oaklawn in advance of the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes April 29. The six-furlong race is for 3-year-olds. Tyler’s Tribe, who breezed alone over a fast track, covered the distance in :37.60 and galloped out a half-mile :50.20. Tyler’s Tribe […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.22.202304.22.2023|1:50pm1:54pm Asmussen Ties Holthus As Oaklawn’s Winningest Trainer Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen tied the late Bob Holthus as Oaklawn’s all-time winningest trainer when Tapicita ($7) broke her maiden by 4½ lengths in Friday’s second race. Tapicita represented the 867th Oaklawn victory overall for Asmussen and his 47th at the 2022-2023 meeting that began Dec. 9. Asmussen had eight chances on the remainder […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.21.2023|1:47pm Nancy Knott’s Two-Horse Stable Has Potential For Big Saturday At Oaklawn Trainer Nancy Knott’s one-horse stable has grown to two in recent months and both Sunset Paynter and Navy Seal are scheduled to run Saturday at Oaklawn. Sunset Paynter is entered in the ninth race, the inaugural $150,000 Valley of the Vapors Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile, and top Arkansas-bred Navy Seal is entered […]
by Robert Yates/Oaklawn|04.16.2023|3:36pm Clairiere To Join Asmussen’s Churchill String, Next-Race Plans Pending Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen took a bite out of the apple Saturday at Oaklawn. A record-setting bite. Asmussen won four races on the 12-race card, including the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) with Stonestreet Stables’ homebred Clairiere, who used an electrifying late kick under Joel Rosario to edge favored Secret Oath by […]