Cabrera to resume riding Tuesday following family emergency

David Cabrera, a leading rider in the Mid-South region who has not been named on horses the last two weeks due to a family emergency in Mexico, is scheduled to resume riding Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs. Cabrera is named to ride Welder in the $50,000 Highland Ice Stakes.

“He got back two, three days ago,” said agent Joe Santos Jr. “Back to Oklahoma. The plan is to ride Welder, and then we’ll go from there. We have a few horses lined up at Keeneland.”

Cabrera also could see action at Oaklawn, where was based before leaving for Mexico. Santos said Cabrera also will be preparing for the upcoming meet at Prairie Meadows.

Cabrera won the Remington Park title in December.

Santos also represents Tyler Baze at Oaklawn. Baze, who had business on the road the last week, was to be back in Arkansas on Sunday with five mounts on the card, said Santos.

New moniker for Oaklawn

Oaklawn Park announced Thursday a rebranding of sorts, with the track to be known as Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. The move comes in advance of casino gaming launching April 1.

Oaklawn will have a press conference Monday to introduce live craps and live blackjack to its gaming center, which offers games of skill and Instant Racing. In a few weeks, there will be sports betting at Oaklawn, according to the release Thursday.

Oaklawn plans to build a hotel as part of a $100 million expansion project at the track, which races through May 4.

◗ Thoughtless invades from Fair Grounds for the featured eighth race Sunday at Oaklawn. The optional $50,000 claiming race for fillies and mares will be run over six furlongs. Trainer Mac Robertson has given the mount to Alex Canchari.

◗ Rated R Superstar on Friday at Oaklawn had his first work since winning the track’s $350,000 Essex Handicap on March 16. He went a half-mile by himself in 47.80 seconds, with clockers catching him galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.

◗ Manny Wah, who was second in the Sugar Bowl and third in the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds, is being pointed for the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs, according to trainer Wayne Catalano.