Jockey Cristian Torres is on the cusp of setting a new personal best for earnings at Oaklawn Park. Despite already securing his second consecutive riding title, Torres is within striking distance of his single-season earnings record, needing just $36,156 to surpass the $6,163,941 he achieved during the 2022-2023 season. His final opportunity to reach this milestone will be on Sunday, the closing day of the 64-day meeting, as he has commitments at Churchill Downs on Friday and Saturday.
Torres, at 26 years old, has amassed $6,127,786 so far this season, demonstrating a remarkable performance that also sees him leading in victories with 81, well ahead of Keith Asmussen in second place with 56 wins. “It’s been great. It’s a team. It takes a team to accomplish everything, so I’m very happy about it,” Torres commented on his success, emphasizing the collaborative effort involved in his achievements.
With nine mounts scheduled for Sunday, Torres has a strong lineup of opportunities. This includes riding the millionaire Law Professor in the $200,000 Lake Ouachita Stakes for older horses. Additionally, he is set to compete in three $140,000 allowance races and the $125,000 Trail’s End starter-allowance marathon, the final race of the season. Torres also leads the meeting in the number of mounts (449) and stakes victories (six). His most significant win to date was aboard Timberlake in the $1.25 million G2 Rebel Stakes on February 24, under trainer Brad Cox. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Torres rode his first winner in 2019 at Gulfstream Park and claimed his first Oaklawn riding title last season with 100 victories, a feat matched only by Hall of Famer Pat Day in Oaklawn’s history. His agent is Cody Autrey, a former trainer.
Hot and Sultry Retired from Racing
Oaklawn stakes winner Hot and Sultry has been retired from racing, owner Alex Lieblong announced. The decision followed her sixth-place finish in the seven-furlong $600,000 G1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on April 6. The 5-year-old mare, by Speightster, has been bred to Uncle Mo. Hot and Sultry concluded her 2023 campaign with a decisive victory in the one-mile $300,000 G3 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs on November 18, trained by Norm Casse. However, she was unable to secure a win in her three starts this year, including fifth-place finishes in the $250,000 G3 Bayakoa Stakes on February 2 and the $400,000 G2 Azeri Stakes on March 9.
Lieblong explained, “She’s telling me she didn’t want to play that much anymore. She wasn’t going to improve her value unless she won a Grade 1 or something.” Lieblong, who also serves as chairman of the Arkansas Racing Commission, indicated he is “inclined” to keep the resulting foal. Hot and Sultry achieved 4 wins in 12 career starts, including the $150,000 American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn in 2023, and earned $621,620. She was acquired for $475,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Finish Lines and Event Updates
The first post times for the remaining days of the Oaklawn meeting are set for 12:15 p.m. (Central) on Friday, 12:10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12:20 p.m. on Sunday. Friday will feature Oaklawn’s annual “Pink Out Day” dedicated to supporting breast cancer awareness, with a survivor parade scheduled after the second race. The renowned Budweiser Clydesdales are slated to make appearances in the infield on both Saturday and Sunday.
Trainer Ron Moquett achieved his 991st career North American Thoroughbred victory with Landlord ($17.60) in last Sunday’s sixth race. Landlord, who was runner-up in the $150,000 Rainbow Stakes on April 6, also secured a $3,000 bonus for being an Arkansas-bred that defeated open company. Jockey Rafael Bejarano, currently tied for third in the Oaklawn standings with 44 victories, will continue to be represented by agent Julio Espinoza in Kentucky, while agent Cody Caudill will book mounts in Hot Springs for Bejarano and continue representing Keith Asmussen, Oaklawn’s second-leading rider. Asmussen is scheduled to ride at Churchill Downs on Friday (Lemon Muffin in the Kentucky Oaks) and Saturday (Just Steel in the Kentucky Derby) before returning to Oaklawn for the closing day card.
Tapit Jenallie has been scratched from the Kentucky Oaks due to a minor physical issue reported Thursday morning. This leaves Thorpedo Anna and Lemon Muffin as the only Oaklawn-raced horses entered in the prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies. Through Day 61 of the 64-day meeting, a total of 488 claims have amounted to $10,306,000, according to Oaklawn figures. In other news, jockey Gabriel Saez has been suspended for one day for careless riding on April 21, resulting in the disqualification of his mount, Jewelstown, from second to third place. Saez will serve his suspension on Sunday.
