Saez to winter at Oaklawn Park

Jockey Luis Saez, who ranks as North America’s fourth leading rider by mount earnings in 2025, is scheduled to winter at Oaklawn Park, according to his agent, Kiaran McLaughlin.

This will be the first time the rider has been based in Hot Springs, Ark. Oaklawn puts on a holiday meet from Dec. 12 to Jan. 4. Following a three-week break, racing resumes and will be held from Jan. 30 to May 2.

“It’s exciting and we’re looking forward to it,” McLaughlin said Tuesday. “Luis will be there starting Dec. 12 and remain there through Jan. 4, and then he will be back on Dec. 29 to ride at Oaklawn provided that things are going well from Dec. 12 to Jan. 4.”

McLaughlin said the cooler temperatures will be something different for Saez, a resident of Florida.

“I mean, him being from Panama, he’s not a cold-weather fellow, but hopefully, he can put on enough clothes to ride and enjoy [it],” McLaughlin quipped. “And in March, April, it’s beautiful in Hot Springs. We might have to make another decision about Keeneland and Oaklawn in April, but if things are going well, we most likely will stay in Hot Springs.”

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McLaughlin said during the three-week Oaklawn break in January, Saez would ride at either Gulfstream Park or Fair Grounds. He also will travel for particular mounts, and annually has been at Fair Grounds for the Lecomte Day card, which is Jan. 17, and at Gulfstream for the Pegasus Day card, which is Jan. 24.

“We’re available to go, and when we have some nice horses – and we do – we’ll travel,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin said said that Oaklawn racing secretary, Pat Pope, talked to him about the meet and the rich purses in Arkansas.

“It’s all new for us, but Luis is excited and I’m excited,” McLaughlin said. “Many, many trainers said that they’re going to support us, so if I can pick the right horses, we should do well. But we will have good support from many, many trainers that we currently ride for that do well there.”

Saez has won a handful of major races at Oaklawn. He captured the Southwest Stakes aboard champion Essential Quality in 2021, and the same year won the Razorback with his eventual Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide.

Saez also won the 2018 Arkansas Derby aboard Magnum Moon and the 2014 Oaklawn Handicap with Will Take Charge.

McLaughlin, as a trainer, won the Grade 1 Apple Blossom in 2009, with Seventh Street. He also is the agent for John Velazquez, who will be based this winter in South Florida.

Saez long has been an elite rider. His mounts this year have earned more than $24 million. Overall, he’s won more than 3,840 races in North America since 2009 and his mounts have earned more than $254 million.

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