Calhoun makes plans for Oaklawn

Bret Calhoun, who is the fifth leading trainer by wins in North America, said he plans to have a division of horses based this winter at Oaklawn Park, which opens its meet on Jan. 16. He will join an established list of trainers that includes Larry Jones, who said Wednesday that 22 horses from his operation were scheduled to arrive in Hot Springs, Ark., on Saturday.

Calhoun could have as many as 30 horses at Oaklawn, where he had a small division in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"That's the last time I've stabled there," he said. "I've just shipped a few in every year to run.

"We've got a number of horses, and this gives us more opportunities to run horses in the right spots."

Sam Houston Race Park, where Calhoun usually keeps a division each winter, canceled its meet due to damage from Hurricane Ike. Calhoun is now racing at Retama Park, which picked up some of the dates from Sam Houston, as well as at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds.

Jones, who will also have a division this winter at Fair Grounds, plans to have 25 horses at Oaklawn.

"We're looking to trying to have a really good 3-year-old there," he said, mentioning several prospects. "Definitely one of them and maybe two will be stationed at Oaklawn."

Jones said the promising Old Fashioned is scheduled to run next in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct on Nov. 29. He also has Friesan Fire, the runner-up in the Grade 2 Futurity at Belmont Park.