Trainers Diodoro, Pish on deck for Oaklawn

Danny Pish, who is coming off the training title at Retama Park, said he will have a division of 15 horses at the Oaklawn meet, which starts racing in January and opens for training Monday. It’s been more than five years since he’s had horses stabled at the Hot Springs, Ark., track, and felt it was time to return.

“It’s about as strong as racing as there is in the winter in the country, and I’d been looking at it,” Pish said.

Pish also has divisions at Delta, Fair Grounds, Remington, and Sam Houston.

Trainer Robertino Diodoro will be returning to Oaklawn.

“We’ll start setting up the middle of December, about 25, 30 days before the meet starts,” Diodoro said.

Diodoro will have a 40-horse division at the meet, which will kickstart a big year for him. Diodoro is set to be married in 2018 to his fiancée, the former jockey Kristina Kenney.

◗ Louisiana Downs is seeking an 84-date Thoroughbred meet for 2018 from May 5-Sept. 26, and the request will be considered at a Monday meeting of the Louisiana Racing Commission.