$150,000 Mockingbird Stakes
At 0h04, on January 4, 2026 • By Robert Yates, Oaklawn Park
An evenly matched field of seven is entered in the $150,000 Mockingbird Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Oaklawn.
The six-furlong Mockingbird highlights an 11-race card that begins at 1:00 p.m. Probable post time for the Mockingbird, the ninth race, is 4:55 p.m.
The 2-1 program favorite is Woodstock for trainer Mike Maker. Woodstock compiled a 2-0-1 record from five starts last year, highlighted by a 10 ½-length victory in the E. L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs Sept. 28 at Remington Park.
Francisco Arrieta is named to ride Woodstock from post 7.
Walk Away Kaye is the 3-1 second choice in the program for trainer Danny Pish and breeder/owner JRita Young Thoroughbreds.
Walk Away Kaye, an Arkansas-bred daughter of Honest Mischief, has faced open company in her two starts, breaking her maiden Nov. 15 at Remington Park and finishing second, beaten four lengths by Counting Stars, in the inaugural $135,000 Astral Spa Overnight Stakes Dec. 14 at Oaklawn. Both races were six furlongs. Counting Stars returned to dominate the $150,000 Year’s End Stakes Dec. 27 at Oaklawn for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.
“After watching Counting Stars, it sure flatters our race last time,” said Pish, who is seeking his first career Oaklawn stakes victory. “But I know how it is. There’s no gimmes in racing, by any means. And if you study the numbers (speed ratings), it’s a very, very evenly matched race. There’s a couple of them in there that have run higher numbers than her, maybe three. It’s pretty much anybody’s race. It does appear there could be a little speed in the race. I hope that’s the case. If there’s a contested pace, I like us. It’s an age-old deal. Pace makes the race and we’re hoping there’s some pace on Sunday.”
Walk Away Kaye has sat just behind the leaders in her two races. Alfredo Triana Jr. has the return call on Walk Away Kaye, who drew post 5.
Walk Away Kaye tuned up for the Mockingbird with a 3-furlong work (:36.60) Tuesday morning at Oaklawn.
“She looks like she came out of the race good,” Pish said.
