Ozark Stakes Recap 2026
Compiled by Robert Yates
Contact: Chris Ho, Vice President of Marketing, cho@oaklawn.com, 501-623-4411 ext. 4201
Monday, Feb. 16, 2026
Photo Credit: Coady Media
OSCAR'S HOPE - Ozark Stakes - 3rd Running
For Immediate Release
$150,000 Ozark Stakes
Michael McLoughlin’s Oscar’s Hope swept to the lead in midstretch enroute to a 1 ½-length upset victory in the $150,000 Ozark Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters Monday at Oaklawn.
Oscar’s Hope, who was ridden by Luis Saez, denied dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse his ninth stakes victory at the 2025-2026 Oaklawn meeting that began Dec. 12. Casse had the 3-5 favorite in Ewing, but the Grade 2 winner, previously unbeaten in two starts, was never a factor after an awkward start and finished sixth in his 3-year-old debut.
Tiz Mary’s Comet, who led throughout much of the race, finished second, one length ahead of Swung. Chad Allan, Gnome, Ewing and My Dream Zapper completed the order of finish. Dirty Rich and Extract’s Arrow were scratched, reducing the starting field to seven.
Oscar’s Hope, from post 7, stalked Tiz Mary’s Comet and Swung through a half-mile in :45.37 before pouncing on the front-runners with a three-wide move turning for home. Oscar’s Hope struck the front passing the eighth pole and completed 6 furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.34.
Oscar’s Hope, the 5-2 second choice, paid $7.20, $4.40 and $4. Tiz Mary’s Comet paid $6.40 and $5.60. Swung paid $5.40.
Trained by Tom Amoss, Oscar’s Hope was cutting back to a sprint after finishing eighth in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 3. The 1 1/16-mile Smarty Jones was Oaklawn’s first Kentucky Derby qualifying race.
The Ozark was the fourth victory in seven lifetime starts for Oscar’s Hope, increasing his earnings to $323,434. He won the Jean Lafitte Stakes Nov. 26 at Delta Downs in his final start at 2. Oscar’s Hope was saddled by Chris Richard, who oversees Amoss’ Oaklawn division.
Racing resumes Thursday at 12:30 p.m. (Central).
Ozark Stakes Quotes
Winning Jockey Luis Saez (Oscar’s Hope): “He’s just a horse that always tries. He’s got a big heart. The key to him today was we got a good post and was right there in the perfect spot. We tracked the speed. We were right behind it and when we came to the top of the stretch, he gave me a big turn of foot. He (trainer Tom Amoss) didn’t tell me how to ride him. But I knew there was some speed inside, so I tried to let the speed go and sit behind. I knew the favorite (Ewing) had a lot of speed, but I felt like he missed the break. So, I took advantage of that.”
Sixth-Place Jockey Cristian Torres (Ewing: “He was flat. He broke a step slow, but he never got into the bit, never engaged in the race. I started working on him early, going into the turn, but never responded.”
