Saffie Joseph Jr. plans to be more active at Oaklawn Park
At 0h05, on February 20, 2026 • By Robert Yates, Oaklawn Park/Traduction Laurent Sauvé
Saffie Joseph Jr. has had only one stakes starter this season at Oaklawn, but the Florida-based trainer plans to be more active over the next two months.
Joseph has Arkansas-bred star Haulin Ice going in Friday’s $150,000 Downthedustyroad for state-bred females, 3 and up, at six furlongs and said millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner White Abarrio is pointing for the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles April 18.
Haulin Ice, a 5-year-old daughter of Coal Front, returns to Oaklawn with an opportunity to make more history.
Haulin Ice ($998,250) is poised to become the first accredited Arkansas-bred to reach $1 million 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.
“She’s back at her favorite place – Oaklawn,” Joseph said Tuesday afternoon.
Haulin Ice made her first five career starts at Oaklawn for trainer Lindsay Schultz before being privately purchased in the spring of 2024 and sent to Joseph. Haulin Ice has collected six stakes victories for Joseph, including a front-running six-length romp in the 2025 Downthedustyroad.
“It will be nice for her to become the first Arkansas-bred to ever make a million,” Joseph said. “She’s already the highest money earner, but to do that would be great for her resume.”
Joseph said he’s using Friday’s race as a prep for the six-furlong $250,000 Matron Stakes for older fillies and mares March 27 at Oaklawn. Haulin Ice dominated open company in last year’s Matron, rolling to a front-running five-length victory. Haulin Ice has a 6-2-0 record in eight lifetime starts at Oaklawn and bankrolled $612,050.
