On Racing

Oaklawn Park kicks off its 2025-26 racing season Dec. 12 with the $150,000 Advent Stakes, the opening marker of a record 62 stakes worth more than a total of $18.3 million this winter and upcoming spring at the Hot Springs, Ark., track.

Young and old meet on the dirt Dec. 7 at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan’s Champions Cup.

For many in the business, the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale that begins Dec. 6 will be the last hurrah of a long year on the road. Thousands of lots have been sold across the globe in recent months. 

Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Classic Meet at Santa Anita. A new policy now permits two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories.

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rides his 2,000th winner Dec. 5 in piloting Lazio to win the third race at Gulfstream Park.

Tiffany Case, dam of top-ranked 3-year-old filly Nitrogen, will be offered in foal to Not This Time at the 2026 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale to be held Jan. 12.

Due to an ongoing interruption of water service,  the Dec. 5 racing card at Fair Grounds is canceled. The water main break in the neighborhood of the track is being addressed.

Sara Elbadwi & Paul Verderosa look ahead at the Cigar Mile & the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Between Del Mar and Santa Anita Park’s meets, jockey Antonio Fresu is riding in the United Arab Emirates, giving him the chance to ride Dec. 6 in the 33rd UAE President Cup for Arabians and the HH The President Cup for Thoroughbreds.