With heavy rain descending on Hot Springs, Oaklawn Park was forced to cancel its Saturday card, but not before jockey Francisco Arrieta recorded his 1,000th career win aboard Eternally Grateful (American Freedom), the track reported in a pair of Saturday press releases.
After a significant delay in the start of the first race, Arrieta guided the 4-year-old gelding across the wire for the milestone victory in what was a starter allowance. According to Equibase the veteran rider earned his first win at the Meadowlands in 2015. Arrieta finished second in the Oaklawn jockey standings last season.
Despite the celebration, the weather was too much of a risk factor and the track made the decision to shelve the remaining nine races on the card. The featured Tinsel Stakes will run Sunday, Jan. 5 with entries taken on Monday, Dec. 30.
Francisco Arrieta records his 1000th victory | Coady Media
Oaklawn said via its X account that, “Due to continuing inclement weather and out of the abundance of caution of our equine athletes and human athletes Oaklawn has decided to cancel today's racing card.”
The Sunday post in Hot Springs is set for 1:30 p.m. ET.
Important announcement. Due to continuing inclement weather and out of the abundance of caution of our equine athletes and human athletes Oaklawn has decided to cancel today's racing card.
— Oaklawn Hot Springs (@OaklawnRacing) December 28, 2024
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