The Lake Ouachita Stakes, a $200,000 stakes race, is set to take place on May 3, 2025, at Oaklawn Park. This 1 1/16-mile dirt race features a competitive field of eight older horses, including Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, who is looking to return to the winner’s circle.
Race Details
- Track: Oaklawn Park
- Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Dirt)
- Purse: $200,000
- Age Eligibility: 4-year-olds & up
- Post Time: 6:15 PM CT
Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
1. Saudi Crown (USA) – Always Dreaming x Equineline Reports
- Trainer: Brad H. Cox
- Jockey: Abel Cedillo
- Owner: FMQ Stables
- Recent Form: Runner-up in the Oaklawn Mile (G3), beaten by Banishing.
2. Seize the Night (USA) – Carpe Diem x Candle Maker
- Trainer: Eddie Milligan Jr.
- Jockey: Tyler Bacon
- Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC
- Recent Form: Longshot entry, looking for a breakthrough performance.
3. Magic Tap (USA) – Tapit x American Story
- Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
- Jockey: Erik Asmussen
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
- Recent Form: Has struggled in recent graded stakes races.
4. Awesome Aaron (USA) – Practical Joke x Do the Dance
- Trainer: Norm W. Casse
- Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
- Owner: AJ Suited Racing Stable LLC & Turman Racing Stable LLC
- Recent Form: Won an allowance race at Oaklawn by 5 ¾ lengths, proving his ability at this distance.
5. Dimatic (USA) – Gun Runner x Time to Tap
- Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
- Jockey: Keith Asmussen
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
- Recent Form: Has shown flashes of talent but remains inconsistent.
6. Frankie’s Empire (USA) – Classic Empire x Donna D
- Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman
- Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel
- Owner: Frank DeLuca
- Recent Form: Needs a strong performance to contend.
7. Emmanuel (USA) – More Than Ready x Hard Cloth
- Trainer: Michael J. Maker
- Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
- Owner: Paradise Farms Corp.
- Recent Form: Has been competitive in past graded stakes races.
8. Mystik Dan (USA) – Goldencents x Ma’am
- Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
- Jockey: Francisco Arrieta
- Owner: 4 G Racing LLC, Valley View Farm LLC, Gasaway, Lance, and Hamby III, Daniel
- Recent Form: 2024 Kentucky Derby winner, looking to rebound after four consecutive losses.
Race Analysis & Predictions
Top Contenders:
- Mystik Dan (5/2 odds) – Former Kentucky Derby winner, looking to regain form.
- Saudi Crown (8/5 odds) – Oaklawn Mile (G3) runner-up, proven at this level.
- Awesome Aaron (2/1 odds) – Dominant allowance winner, could surprise.
Dark Horses:
- Emmanuel (8/1 odds) – Has experience in graded stakes races.
- Dimatic (15/1 odds) – Could improve under Asmussen’s training.
