The Fifth Season Stakes is a key early-season test for older dirt routers, offering a $150,000 purse and attracting a competitive field of nine horses. This one-mile dirt event for four-year-olds and up serves as a stepping stone for potential graded stakes campaigns. Originally scheduled for January 30, the race was rescheduled due to winter weather cancellations, preserving the original draw. Expect a tactical affair with speed from the inside posts and closers from wider draws, on what should be a fair Oaklawn surface.
Venue Location
Oaklawn Park
2705 Central Ave
Hot Springs, AR 71901 This historic track, opened in 1904, features a one-mile dirt oval known for its speed-favoring profile in winter meets. Capacity is around 20,000, with a lively atmosphere for stakes days.
Post time is scheduled for 3:57 PM CT (4:57 PM ET / 1:57 PM PT) First post is at 12:30 PM CT, with races spaced approximately 30-35 minutes apart. The card was shifted from January 30 due to inclement weather.
Expected Weather Conditions
High of 52°F, low of 36°F, with partly cloudy skies and light northerly winds around 6 mph. Humidity around 60%, with no precipitation expected (0 inches). Dry conditions should lead to a fast track, favoring speed horses after recent weather disruptions.
Track Conditions
Expected fast dirt. Oaklawn resumed racing on February 5 after cancellations from Winter Storm Fern, which brought freezing temperatures and unsafe conditions. With sunny and dry weather forecasted, the track should play fair without bias toward rails or closers.
Betting Odds
| Post | Horse | M/L Odds |
| 1 | Pony Express | 8/5 |
| 2 | Seize the Night | 8/1 |
| 3 | Thoughtthatcounts | 12/1 |
| 4 | Komorebino Omoide | 7/2 |
| 5 | Woodcourt | 15/1 |
| 6 | American Law | 20/1 |
| 7 | Runaway Again | 12/1 |
| 8 | Will Take It | 15/1 |
| 9 | Speed King | 5/2 |
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
Field of nine older males on dirt at one mile. Weights range from 115-122 lbs based on allowances. Below is a detailed breakdown, including starting position (post), recent finishes (last 5 races where available, with date/track/finish/field/distance/surface/speed figure/comments), and analysis. Recent form draws from 2025-2026 performances.
1. Pony Express (KY, 5yo Horse, Gun Runner – Quiet Temper)
Jockey: Joel Rosario (117 lbs) – Hall of Famer with 35% win rate at Oaklawn; excels in stakes.
Trainer: John W. Sadler – 20% win rate; strong with shippers from California.
Recent Finishes: Scratched from Jan 31, 2026 at Santa Anita (allowance optional claimer); prior wins include graded stakes in 2025. Career: 12 starts, 6-3-1, earnings ~$800k. Strong speed figures (100+).
Analysis: Morning-line favorite draws the rail, ideal for his tactical speed. Ships from Santa Anita after a scratch; Sadler’s horses fire fresh. Could wire the field if uncontested early. Top contender on class.
2. Seize the Night (KY, 7yo Gelding, Carpe Diem – Candle Maker)
Jockey: Amir Mendoza (122 lbs) – Up-and-coming rider with 15% win rate; knows the horse.
Trainer: Cipriano Contreras – 18% win rate at Oaklawn; local specialist.
Recent Finishes: Dec 28, 2025 at Oaklawn (allowance), 5th/8, 1m dirt, speed fig 92, “stalked pace, tired late.” Career: 28 starts, 7-5-4, earnings ~$500k. Consistent mid-pack performer.
Analysis: Veteran gelding with Oaklawn experience; post 2 allows stalking trip. Contreras enters two; this one needs pace to close into. Value at 8/1 if frontrunners duel.
3. Thoughtthatcounts (KY, 5yo Gelding, Sky Mesa – Sweet Starlet)
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres (122 lbs) – 22% win rate; aggressive style.
Trainer: David Jacobson – 25% win rate with claimers/stakes; quick turnaround expert.
Recent Finishes: Jan 17, 2026 workout at Oaklawn (5f, 1:01.20, breezing); last race Feb 12, 2025 at Mahoning Valley (allowance), 1st/6, 1m dirt, “stalked, passed top pair.” Career: 15 starts, 4-3-2.
Analysis: Jacobson claim; sharp workout suggests fitness. Post 3 suits mid-pack style. Upset potential at 12/1 if pace melts down.
4. Komorebino Omoide (JPN, 6yo Horse, California Chrome – Decennial)
Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez (122 lbs) – 19% win rate; Oaklawn regular.
Trainer: Rob Atras – 21% win rate; strong with imports.
Recent Finishes: Jan 16, 2026 workout at Fair Grounds (4f, :48.40, breezing); Dec 2025 at Fair Grounds (stakes), 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, speed fig 105, “pressed pace, outfinished.” Career: 18 starts, 5-4-3, earnings ~$480k.
Analysis: Japanese-bred with U.S. success; Atras ships in confidently. Post 4 allows pressing trip. Contender at 7/2; likes distance.
5. Woodcourt (KY, 5yo Horse, Ransom the Moon – Warrioress)
Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel (122 lbs) – 16% win rate; patient rider.
Trainer: Cipriano Contreras – See above; enters stablemate.
Recent Finishes: Limited recent details; 2025 allowance wins at Oaklawn. Career: 14 starts, 3-2-3.
Analysis: Stablemate to #2; post 5 could trap if pace is slow. Longshot at 15/1 but Contreras knows the track. Needs career-best effort.
6. American Law (KY, 8yo Gelding, Constitution – Five Funs)
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta (115 lbs) – 20% win rate; allowance specialist.
Trainer: Sarah E. Shaffer – 17% win rate; underrated.
Recent Finishes: Dec 6, 2025 at Oaklawn (allowance), 4th/10, 1m dirt. Career: 35 starts, 8-6-5. Veteran closer.
Analysis: Light weight helps; post 6 suits off-pace style. Longshot at 20/1 but could clunk up for minor awards.
7. Runaway Again (ON, 4yo Gelding, Hard Spun – Golden Venus)
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano (122 lbs) – 23% win rate; stakes veteran.
Trainer: David Jacobson – See above; dual entry.
Recent Finishes: Sep 9, 2025 at Fort Erie (Prince of Wales Stakes), 1st/8, 1 3/16m dirt, “upset win by 1/2 length.” Career: 10 starts, 4-2-1.
Analysis: Canadian stakes winner; Jacobson ships east. Post 7 may force wide trip, but Bejarano rides smartly. Live at 12/1.
8. Will Take It (KY, 5yo Horse, Tapit – Lady Take Charge)
Jockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr. (122 lbs) – 25% win rate at Oaklawn; top jock.
Trainer: Dallas Stewart – 18% win rate; graded stakes experience.
Recent Finishes: 2025 stakes places; consistent speed figs 95+. Career: 16 starts, 5-3-2.
Analysis: Well-bred Tapit son; post 8 could compromise early position. Santana/Stewart combo dangerous. Upside at 15/1.
9. Speed King (KY, 4yo Colt, Volatile – Athenian Beauty)
Jockey: Luis Saez (122 lbs) – 28% win rate; elite rider.
Trainer: Ron Moquett – 19% win rate at Oaklawn.
Recent Finishes: Jan 25, 2025 at Oaklawn (Southwest Stakes G3), 1st/9, 1 1/16m dirt, time 1:45.86, speed fig 102, “led all the way, won by 1 length at 14-1.” Career: 6 starts, 3-1-1.
Analysis: Recent G3 winner here; Saez retains ride. Outside post 9 suits front-running style. Second choice at 5/2; major threat.
