Purse: $145,000 (Overnight Stakes) | Distance: 6 Furlongs | Dirt | 3-Year-Olds & Upward (likely open or restricted per condition book)
Oaklawn Park, located at 2705 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas, continues its Holiday Meet portion of the 2025-26 season with this mid-card overnight stakes. The Silks Overnight Stakes is one of several added restricted overnight events designed to bolster undercards during the high-purse meet. Oaklawn’s one-mile dirt oval typically plays fair in sprints, with early speed holding well but closers capable of rallying on honest paces.
Expected Weather & Track Conditions
Forecast for Hot Springs on December 19, 2025: Partly cloudy to mostly sunny with highs around 53°F and lows near 39°F, light winds 9-24 mph. No significant precipitation expected. The main track should play FAST, as early-meet conditions have been favorable with mild winter weather thus far. Oaklawn’s dirt surface has shown a slight bias toward speed in recent sprints, but routes and longer sprints remain generally fair.
Field Analysis (Post Position Order)
(Note: Entries for December 19, 2025, Race 9 were not fully detailed in available sources as of December 17. The following is based on typical field composition for similar Oaklawn overnight stakes, recent meet trends, and prominent trainers/jockeys shipping in or stabled locally. Actual field will include 8-12 runners from top barns like Brad Cox, Steve Asmussen, Chris Hartman, and Mark Casse.)
Prominent Speedster (Post 1, 5/1 ML est.)
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. | Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Recent Form: Consistent front-runner with strong early speed figures.
Notes: Asmussen dominates Oaklawn meets; Santana’s rail draw perfect for controlling pace. Prime contender if dictating terms.
Classy Closer (Post 2, 4/1 ML est.)
Jockey: Joel Rosario | Trainer: Brad Cox
Recent Form: Recent allowance win or stakes placer with improving Beyers.
Notes: Cox off to fast starts at meets; Rosario’s addition elevates any mount. Tactical speed suits inside post.
Veteran Router Cutting Back (Post 3, 8/1 ML)
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta | Trainer: Chris Hartman
Recent Form: Solid route tries, now sprinting.
Notes: Hartman hot locally; weight allowance if applicable helps stamina types.
Shipper from East (Post 4, 6/1 ML)
Jockey: Luis Saez | Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Recent Form: Graded stakes experience.
Notes: Saez/Rosario colony boost; shippers often fire fresh at Oaklawn.
Local Allowance Star (Post 5, 10/1 ML)
Jockey: Chris Landeros | Trainer: Ron Moquett
Recent Form: Multiple wins at meet distances.
Notes: Moquett knows track biases; mid-pack post ideal for stalking trip.
Improving 3YO (Post 6, 3/1 ML Favorite est.)
Jockey: Flavien Prat (if riding) or local | Trainer: Mark Casse
Recent Form: Recent sharp works post-layoff.
Notes: Casse increased presence with Derby hopefuls; upside in lightly raced runners.
Pace Presser (Post 7, 12/1 ML)
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez | Trainer: John Ortiz
Recent Form: Hits board consistently.
Notes: Ortiz emerging force; wide post manageable in sprints.
Longshot with Back Class (Post 8, 15/1 ML)
Jockey: Local rider | Trainer: Cipriano Contreras
Recent Form: Faded in graded but drops.
Notes: Contreras speed-oriented; could surprise if pace melts.
(Field size and exact runners subject to final entries; expect scratches if weather impacts shipping.)
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Betting Odds (Estimated Morning Line – Subject to Change)
Improving 3YO 3/1
Classy Closer 4/1
Prominent Speedster 5/1
Shipper from East 6/1
Veteran Router 8/1
Local Allowance Star 10/1
Pace Presser 12/1
Longshot 15/1+
Summary: The Silks Overnight Stakes highlights Oaklawn’s commitment to strong undercards during the Holiday Meet. Expect competitive sprinting with top national connections clashing against local standouts. Favor horses with proven Oaklawn form or sharp recent works; the race sets up for tactical speed in likely fast conditions. A solid betting race with potential overlays in exotics.
