Downthedustyroad Breeders' Stakes Recap 2026
Compiled by Robert Yates
Contact: Chris Ho, Vice President of Marketing, cho@oaklawn.com, 501-623-4411 ext. 4201
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
Photo Credit: Coady Media
HAULIN ICE - Downthedustyroad Breeders' Stakes - 16th Running
For Immediate Release
Oaklawn Stakes Race Recap - $150,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes
Racing’s newest millionaire is a local.
Haulin Ice demolished seven overmatched rivals in the $150,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes Friday afternoon at Oaklawn to become the first accredited Arkansas-bred to reach $1 million in career earnings.
With jockey Francisco Arrieta playing passenger, Haulin Ice, the 1-5 favorite, cruised to a front-running 11 ¾-length victory, one of the most lopsided margins in Oaklawn stakes history.
The final time of 1:08.75 for six furlongs over a fast track shattered the previous stakes record (1:10.26), set last year by Haulin Ice in a front-running six-length romp. It was also the fastest time of the 2025-2026 Oaklawn meeting that began Dec. 12. The Downthedustyroad, restricted to Arkansas-bred fillies and mares, 3 and up, debuted in 2010.
Caliente Star finished second, a half-length ahead of Ms Carroll County, who was followed, in order, by Arr Piratetreasure, Ministry’s Destiny, Street Painter, She’s a Dreamer and Morally Complex. Hush It Honey, Hush It Honey, the 3-1 second choice in the program, was a late scratch.
Haulin Ice paid $2.40, $2.10, and $2.10. Caliente Star paid $3 and $2.80. Ms Carroll County paid $4.20.
A 5-year-old gray daughter of Coal Front, Haulin Ice entered the Downthedustyroad with $998,250 in career earnings. Haulin Ice became the leading accredited Arkansas-bred money winner in history with a victory in the Princess Rooney Stakes (G3) Sept. 20 at Gulfstream Park. Nodouble, the country’s two-time champion older horse, set the previous record ($846,749) in 1970.
Haulin Ice’s seventh career stakes victory, and 11th in 20 starts overall, lifted her career earnings to $1,081,500.
Saffie Joseph Jr., Haulin Ice’s Florida-based trainer, said he was using the Downthedustyroad as a prep for the horse’s return to open company in the $250,000 Matron Stakes for older female sprinters March 27 at Oaklawn. Haulin Ice won the six-furlong Matron last year by five front-running lengths.
Joseph trains Haulin Ice for C2 Racing Stable (brothers Clint and Mark Cornett), WSS Racing (William Simon) and Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez).
Racing resumes Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (Central).
Downthedustyroad Quotes
Winning Jockey Francisco Arrieta (Haulin Ice: “It’s very exciting to be riding one that nice. She’s pretty fast. She was stronger today, even without asking her.”
Winning Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. via phone: “You go there hoping she wins, but you don’t envision that she would win that easy. She seems like she’s on the right track. She loves coming home (Oaklawn). Hopefully, she’ll have a big year again.”
Winning Co-Owner Mark Cornett (Haulin Ice): “We just love it here at Oaklawn. We have a lot of roots here and it’s just so wonderful to have the first (Arkansas-bred) that’s ever won a million. It’s very special.”
