Horse Race Preview: Race 8 – General MacArthur Overnight Stakes at Oaklawn Park

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The General MacArthur Overnight Stakes is a $135,000 event for 4-year-olds and up who have never won a sweepstakes other than state-bred or restricted races. Run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, this race features a field of 11 contenders and serves as a key test for routers looking to step up in class. Originally drawn for January 31, it was rescheduled due to winter weather cancellations. Expect a competitive pace with speed from posts like 3 and 5, potentially setting up for closers in a race that favors tactical runners on Oaklawn’s fair surface.

Venue Location

Oaklawn Park
2705 Central Ave
Hot Springs, AR 71901 This historic track, dating back to 1904, hosts a winter-spring meet with a one-mile dirt oval that typically plays fair but can favor speed in longer routes.

Post Time is scheduled for  3:58 PM CT (4:58 PM ET / 1:58 PM PT) First post is at 12:30 PM CT, with this being the eighth of 10 races on a rescheduled Southwest Stakes undercard.

Expected Weather Conditions

Mostly sunny with a high of 68°F and low of 39°F. Light winds from the west at 3-6 mph, humidity around 62%, and no precipitation. Mild conditions should ensure optimal racing without surface issues.

Track Conditions

Expected fast dirt. Following cancellations from January 30-February 1 due to Winter Storm Fern, Oaklawn resumed racing on February 5. With dry weather forecasted, the track should be even and without bias.

Betting Odds

PostHorseM/L Odds
1American Law20/1
2Keen Cat20/1
3Super Cruise7/2
4Creative Minister20/1
5Sir Greylind3/1
6Gun Party5/1
7Luckman10/1
8Energize8/1
9Archie the Giza30/1
10Runaway Again8/1
11First Division4/1

Odds may shift, with Sir Greylind likely to take action as the favorite. Value could emerge in mid-priced runners like Gun Party.

Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer

Field of 11 older males on dirt at 1 1/8 miles. Weights range from 117-124 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. Data compiled from available sources.

1. American Law (KY, 8yo Gelding, Constitution – Five Funs)

Jockey: Ramon A. Vazquez (117 lbs) – 19% win rate at Oaklawn; strong with closers.

Trainer: Sarah E. Shaffer – 17% win rate; underrated with veterans.

Recent Finishes: Dec 14, 2025 Oaklawn (STR), 1st/8, 1m dirt, speed fig 118, “rallied strongly late”; Nov 2025 Churchill (allowance), 3rd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, 102, “even effort”; Oct 2025 Keeneland, 4th/9, 1 1/8m dirt, 98; Career: 35 starts, 8-6-5.

Analysis: Rail draw helps his off-pace style; recent win shows form. Longshot at 20/1 but could hit the board if pace melts.

2. Keen Cat (KY, 7yo Gelding, Keen Ice – Calico)

Jockey: Francisco Arrieta (117 lbs) – 20% win rate; patient rider.

Trainer: Randy L. Morse – 15% win rate; local expert.

Recent Finishes: Jan 2026 Oaklawn (allowance), 5th/10, 1m dirt, 92, “faded after stalking”; Dec 2025 Oaklawn, 2nd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, 105; Nov 2025 Churchill, 4th/7, 1m dirt, 98; Career: 28 starts, 7-5-4.

Analysis: Post 2 suits mid-pack run; Morse knows Oaklawn. Value at 20/1 for exotics if he rebounds.

3. Super Cruise (KY, 4yo Colt, Uncle Mo – Sensitive)

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano (117 lbs) – 23% win rate; stakes veteran.

Trainer: H. Ray Ashford, Jr. – 18% win rate; strong with young routers.

Recent Finishes: Dec 2025 Oaklawn (allowance), 1st/9, 1 1/16m dirt, 108, “wired field”; Nov 2025 Fair Grounds, 2nd/8, 1m dirt, 104; Oct 2025 Keeneland, 3rd/10, 1 1/8m dirt, 100; Career: 12 starts, 4-3-2.

Analysis: Speedy Uncle Mo colt; post 3 ideal for front-running. Contender at 7/2 with class drop.

4. Creative Minister (KY, 6yo Horse, Creative Cause – Tamboz)

Jockey: Alfredo Triana, Jr. (117 lbs) – 16% win rate; aggressive style.

Trainer: Timothy E. Martin – 14% win rate; consistent with claimers.

Recent Finishes: Jan 2026 Oaklawn, 6th/11, 1m dirt, 88; Dec 2025 Oaklawn, 3rd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, 96; Career: 22 starts, 5-4-3.

Analysis: Post 4 allows pressing; needs improvement at 20/1.

5. Sir Greylind (KY, 5yo Horse, Speightster – Awesome Elvera)

Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. (124 lbs) – 20% win rate; tactical expert.

Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek – 18% win rate; multiple entries.

Recent Finishes: Dec 2025 Fair Grounds (stakes), 1st/7, 1 1/8m dirt, 110, “dominant”; Nov 2025 Churchill, 2nd/9, 1 1/16m dirt, 107; Career: 15 starts, 6-3-1.

Analysis: Favorite at 3/1; top weight but post 5 suits. McPeek’s go-to for routes.

6. Gun Party (KY, 5yo Horse, Curlin – Carina Mia)

Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (121 lbs) – 25% win rate; elite in stakes.

Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen – 22% win rate; barn leader.

Recent Finishes: Jan 2026 Oaklawn (allowance), 1st/10, 1m dirt, 105; Dec 2025 Oaklawn, 4th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, 99; Career: 18 starts, 5-4-3.

Analysis: Curlin son with speed; Ortiz/Asmussen dangerous at 5/1.

7. Luckman (KY, 6yo Horse, Union Rags – Silverpocketsfull)

Jockey: Abel Cedillo (121 lbs) – 18% win rate; good in routes.

Trainer: Matt A. Shirer – 16% win rate; improving stock.

Recent Finishes: Dec 2025 Churchill, 2nd/7, 1 1/8m dirt, 102; Nov 2025 Keeneland, 5th/9, 1m dirt, 96; Career: 20 starts, 4-5-2.

Analysis: Post 7 may force wide; live at 10/1 for minors.

8. Energize (KY, 5yo Horse, Medaglia d’Oro – Enliven)

Jockey: Luis Saez (121 lbs) – 28% win rate; top jock.

Recent Finishes: Jan 2026 Oaklawn, 3rd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, 104; Dec 2025 Fair Grounds, 1st/7, 1m dirt, 108; Career: 14 starts, 4-3-3.

Analysis: Saez rides confidently; post 8 challenging but upside at 8/1.

9. Archie the Giza (KY, 7yo Gelding, Cairo Prince – Gloria S)

Jockey: Javier Castellano (117 lbs) – 24% win rate; Hall of Famer.

Trainer: Robert Medina – 15% win rate; stakes specialist.

Recent Finishes: Dec 2025 Oaklawn, 4th/10, 1m dirt, 95; Nov 2025 Churchill, 6th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, 90; Career: 30 starts, 6-5-4.

Analysis: Light weight helps; longshot at 30/1 but Castellano adds value.

10. Runaway Again (ON, 4yo Gelding, Hard Spun – Golden Venus)

Jockey: Cristian A. Torres (124 lbs) – 22% win rate; hot lately.

Trainer: David Jacobson – 25% win rate; quick turnarounds.

Recent Finishes: Sep 2025 Fort Erie (stakes), 1st/8, 1 3/16m dirt, 105; Aug 2025 Woodbine, 2nd/7, 1 1/8m dirt, 102; Career: 10 starts, 4-2-1.

Analysis: Canadian stakes winner; post 10 wide but live at 8/1.

11. First Division (IN, 5yo Horse, Omaha Beach – Ice Women)

Jockey: Emmanuel Esquivel (121 lbs) – 16% win rate; patient.

Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek – See above.

Recent Finishes: Dec 2025 Oaklawn, 1st/9, 1 1/16m dirt, 106; Nov 2025 Churchill, 3rd/8, 1m dirt, 100; Career: 16 starts, 5-3-3.

Analysis: McPeek’s other entry; outside post suits closer at 4/1.