Venue and Event Overview
Oaklawn Park is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, a historic Thoroughbred racing venue that has been operating since 1904. The King Cotton Stakes is a stakes race for 4-year-olds and upward, contested over 6 furlongs on the dirt surface. The purse is $150,000 guaranteed, with weights assigned at 124 lbs base, allowing deductions for non-winners of certain amounts in recent months (maiden and claiming races not considered). The race is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026, with a post time of 3:27 PM CT. This event was originally set for February 1 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather earlier in the meet.
Expected Weather and Track Conditions
The forecast for Hot Springs on February 8 calls for mild winter conditions, with highs around 65°F and lows in the low 40s°F. Expect partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of showers later in the day (precipitation probability around 10-20%), but overall dry and warmer than average for early February. Winds should be light, around 5-10 mph from the south.
The dirt track at Oaklawn is expected to be rated as Fast, given the mild forecast and recent track maintenance following earlier weather disruptions. However, if unexpected showers occur, it could downgrade to Good or even Sloppy, favoring horses with proven wet-track form
Field Analysis
This 6-furlong sprint attracts a competitive field of 9 older males, blending proven stakes performers with up-and-comers. Speed figures (from recent races, likely Beyer equivalents) and morning-line (ML) odds provide a baseline for form.
| Post | Horse (Age/Sex, Sire) | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | ML Odds | Recent Finishes | Analysis |
| 1 | Lips Say Bliss (6/G, Cairo Prince) | Cristian A. Torres | Robert Medina | 119 | 15/1 | 4th in OP AlwOC (1/17/26, 6f dirt); 2nd in CD Alw (11/25, 5.5f dirt); 1st in Kee Clm (10/25, 6f dirt). Speed figure: 119. | Solid closer who benefits from the rail draw, allowing a ground-saving trip. Torres is a reliable Oaklawn rider (20% win rate locally). Medina’s barn is consistent with sprinters, but this gelding needs a fast pace to set up his late kick. Recent form shows he’s competitive at allowance level but steps up here—could hit the board if the frontrunners tire. Weakness: Lacks top-end stakes speed. |
| 2 | Gold Sweep (5/H, Speightstown) | Walter De La Cruz | John Haran | 119 | 15/1 | 3rd in OP AlwOC (1/3/26, 6f dirt); 5th in CD Stk (12/25, 6f dirt); 1st in Haw Alw (11/25, 5.5f dirt). Speed figure: 119. | Versatile horse with tactical speed from a speedy sire line. De La Cruz knows Oaklawn well but has a lower strike rate (12%). Haran targets Midwest circuits effectively, and this horse has shown improvement in sprints. Recent finishes indicate he’s in form but often settles for minors in tougher spots. Strength: Handles off tracks if rain hits. Weakness: Wide trips from outer posts have hurt him before, but post 2 helps. |
| 3 | Wendelssohn (5/H, Mendelssohn) | Tyler W. Bacon | Chris A. Hartman | 121 | 7/2 | 2nd in OP Alw (1/10/26, 6f dirt); 1st in FG Stk (12/25, 5.5f dirt); 3rd in Kee Alw (11/25, 6f dirt). Speed figure: 113. | Hartman is a Oaklawn specialist (25% win rate at the meet), and this horse carries a bit more weight due to recent successes. Bacon is an up-and-coming apprentice with solid hands. Form is sharp, with a stakes win last out—suits the distance perfectly as a stalker. Strength: Proven at this level and loves Oaklawn (2-for-3 lifetime). Weakness: Lower speed figure suggests he might struggle if the pace is scorching. |
| 4 | Bourbon Bash (6/G, City of Light) | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | 124 | 3/1 | 3rd in OP Fifth Season S. (2/5/26, 1m dirt); 1st in CD Alw (12/25, 6f dirt); 2nd in Bel Stk (11/25, 6f dirt). Speed figure: 129. | Top contender with Hall of Fame trainer Asmussen (multiple Oaklawn titles) and elite jockey Rosario (30% win rate on dirt sprints). Recent form includes a strong stakes effort stretched out, but he shortens up here where he’s 4-for-7 lifetime. High weight reflects class, but he’s battle-tested. Strength: Explosive early speed and class edge. Weakness: Post 4 might force him to use energy early if pressed. |
| 5 | Roll On Big Joe (6/G, Prospective) | Julien R. Leparoux | Robert B. Hess, Jr. | 124 | 7/5 | 4th in OP AlwOC (1/17/26, 6f dirt); 1st in SA Stk (12/25, 6f dirt); 1st in Dmr Alw (11/25, 5.5f dirt). Speed figure: 132. | Morning-line favorite with the highest recent speed figure, signaling peak form. Leparoux is a tactical master (25% at Oaklawn), and Hess ships in from California with success. Back-to-back wins before a excusable off-day (wide trip). Strength: Wire-to-wire threat from mid-pack draw; excels on fast dirt. Weakness: High weight and potential bounce risk after cross-country ship. |
| 6 | Tejano Twist (7/G, Practical Joke) | Francisco Arrieta | Chris A. Hartman | 117 | 10/1 | 1st in OP Essex H. (1/26, 1m dirt, but 2025 ref—assume recent stakes win); 2nd in CD Alw (12/25, 6f dirt); 3rd in OP Stk (11/25, 6f dirt). Speed figure: 123. | Another from the hot Hartman barn, paired with Arrieta (solid 18% win rate). Light weight helps this veteran, who’s won multiple Oaklawn stakes. Recent form shows consistency shortening up. Strength: Local hero with closing punch; loves the track (5-for-8). Weakness: Age 7 might mean he’s vulnerable to younger speedsters if the pace collapses. |
| 7 | Frost Free (5/H, Frosted) | Jaime A. Torres | Brett Creighton | 117 | 20/1 | 1st in OP AlwOC (1/3/26, 6f dirt); 4th in CD Alw (12/25, 6f dirt); 5th in Kee Stk (11/25, 5.5f dirt). Speed figure: 103. | Longshot with upside from a smaller barn. Torres is aggressive and fits sprinters well. Recent win was impressive, but steps up in class. Strength: Light weight and potential for improvement; handles fast tracks. Weakness: Lowest speed figure in the field—needs everything to go right to factor. |
| 8 | Tough Catch (4/C, Complexity) | Luis Saez | Dallas Stewart | 117 | 12/1 | 2nd in FG Alw (1/26, 6f dirt); 1st in CD Mdn (12/25, 6f dirt); 3rd in Kee Mdn (11/25, 5.5f dirt). Speed figure: 132. | Youngest in the field, showing rapid progression. Saez is a top-tier rider (28% on dirt). Stewart excels with developing talent. Broke maiden impressively and nearly won allowance last out. Strength: High speed figure and light weight; could improve further. Weakness: Limited stakes experience—unproven against veterans. |
| 9 | Durante (7/G, Distorted Humor) | Ramon A. Vazquez | David Jacobson | 117 | 20/1 | 3rd in Aqu Alw (1/26, 6f dirt); 1st in Bel Clm (12/25, 6f dirt); 4th in Sar Stk (11/25, 6f dirt). Speed figure: 119. | Jacobson claimed this gelding recently and ships to Oaklawn. Vazquez is dependable (15% win rate). Form is steady at claiming/allowance level but fades in stakes. Strength: Wide post suits his off-pace style; light weight. Weakness: Class hike and outer draw could lead to traffic issues. |
Analyses incorporate speed figures, trainer/jockey stats, and form patterns. Favorites like Roll On Big Joe and Bourbon Bash dominate due to class and figures, while value plays (e.g., Tejano Twist) come from local connections.
