Oaklawn kicks off its 65-day racing season Friday in Hot Springs with a card that features the Advent Stakes. Important dates include $1 million Southwest (Jan. 25), $1.25 million Rebel (Feb. 22), $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (March 29), $1.25 million Apple Blossom (April 12) and $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (April 19). Friday-Saturday racing makes up December, while Friday-Saturday-Sunday racing weeks are the norm after the first of the year with holiday exceptions.

To get you set handicapping this season in Arkansas, let’s dig into some key stats from the Betmix database.

Favorites Overall
33.5% (2023-’24)
34.5% (2022-’23)
36.2% (2021-’22)

Favorites Sprints
35.9% (2023-’24)
34.3% (2022-’23)
35.5% (2021-’22)

Favorites Routes
29.6% (2023-’24)
34.6% (2022-’23)
37.3% (2021-’22)

Average Win Odds Overall
6.4-1 (2023-’24)
5.8-1 (2022-’23)
5.8-1 (2021-’22)

Average Win Odds Sprints
5.9-1 (2023-’24)
5.5-1 (2022-’23)
5.7-1 (2021-’22)

Average Win Odds Routes
7.2-1 (2023-’24)
6.1-1 (2022-’23)
5.8-1 (2021-’22)

Top Jockeys 2023-‘24
Cristian Torres 82 wins (18% sprints, 18% routes)
Keith Asmussen 58 wins (18% sprints, 12% routes)
Francisco Arrieta 49 wins (12% sprints, 14% routes)
Rafael Bejarano 48 wins (17% sprints, 13% routes)
Emmanuel Esquivel 45 wins (11% sprints, 19% routes)
Ricardo Santana 39 wins (19% sprints, 13% routes)
Ramon Vazquez 39 wins (13% sprints, 10% routes)

Top Trainers 2023-‘24
Steve Asmussen 71 wins (18% sprints, 12% routes)
Kenny McPeek 30 wins (33% sprints, 23% routes)
Chris Hartman 28 wins (24% sprints, 10% routes)
Robertino Diodoro 27 wins (19% sprints, 17% routes)
Brad Cox 26 wins (29% sprints, 24% routes)
Ron Moquett 22 wins (13% sprints, 7% routes)
Cipriano Contreras 22 wins (25% sprints, 28% routes)
Randy Morse 21 wins (20% sprints, 11% routes)