Oaklawn cancels live racing, Southwest moved to next Friday

Oaklawn canceled live racing scheduled for Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 because of inclement weather and rescheduled all affected race days for the following weekend, Feb. 5-8.

The Grade 3 Southwest Stakes card, as originally drawn, will be contested Friday, Feb. 6.

The Southwest Stakes anchors Oaklawn's second Kentucky Derby 2026 points race of the season. The race offers 50 qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale. The Martha Washington Stakes, Oaklawn's first Kentucky Oaks points race, offers the same structure.

The American Beauty Stakes will move to Saturday, Feb. 7, joining the Bayakoa Stakes (G3), which will feature the 2026 debut of Nitrogen, the reigning Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly.

The originally scheduled Friday, Jan. 30 card will move to Thursday, Feb. 5. Races originally planned for Sunday, Feb. 1, will run Sunday, Feb. 8, an added race day.

"We never take the decision to cancel racing lightly," said Louis A. Cella, president of Oaklawn. "However, the safety of our horses, jockeys and all participants is always our top priority. We appreciate the understanding and flexibility of our fans and horsemen as we work to deliver an outstanding weekend of championship racing and host the richest road to the Kentucky Derby."