Compiled by Robert Yates

Joseph Bealmear, Oaklawn’s 2023-2024 champion apprentice jockey, said he’s hoping to resume riding in late December after missing the last two months because of an automobile accident.

Bealmear, 20, hasn’t ridden since Oct. 2 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Bealmear said he injured his right leg, near the knee, in the accident, which occurred later that day returning to his Louisville, Ky., home.

“I had a little fracture, but it wasn’t much,” Bealmear said. “Didn’t need any equipment. No screws or anything. The main thing was I just had a big laceration, so it took out some muscle and left some scar tissue. My leg’s strong, my leg’s fit. Just need to work out that scar tissue and I’ll be back in the saddle.”

Bealmear, still an apprentice, is now based at Oaklawn and said he began getting on horses Dec. 2 in preparation for his comeback. Bealmear said he hopes to resume riding Dec. 20 on a horse for trainer Tommy Vance of Hot Springs.

“All that’s holding me back right now is just a range of motion with my leg,” Bealmear said. “Once I get that back, I’ll be ready to get back in the saddle.”

Bealmear rode his first career winner, We Miss Arlington, Dec. 30, 2023, at Oaklawn. He finished the 2023-2024 meeting with 19 victories to edge Carlos Barbosa for leading apprentice. Barbosa finished with 17 victories.

Bealmear rode primarily in Kentucky and Indiana after the Oaklawn meeting ended last May. He has 40 victories and $2,499,263 in career earnings, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization.

“I was always planning on coming back here, injury or not,” Bealmear said. “I still wanted to come down here. Hopefully, we can recover quick and hop back into the meet.”

Bealmear, who has five-pound apprentice weight allowance, is represented by agent “Big Steve” Krajcir of Hot Springs. Two-time Oaklawn riding champion Robby Albarado booked mounts for Bealmear at the 2023-2024 meeting.

Milestone Watch

Oaklawn-based jockey Fracisco Arrieta enters Friday’s card with 990 career North American victories, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization.

Arrieta recorded his 990^th victory last Friday at Oaklawn aboard Jenkin ($32.20) for trainer Lindsay Schultz and John Ed Anthony, Oaklawn’s all-time leading owner.

Jenkin was the 245^th career Oaklawn victory for Arrieta, a native of Venezuela who began riding in the United States in 2012. Arrieta has been an Oaklawn regular since the 2021 meeting and was its co-leading rider in 2021-2022 with 62 victories.

Arrieta is named on six horses Friday at Oaklawn, seven Saturday and six Sunday.

Last Samurai Retired

Millionaire multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Last Samurai has been retired to begin a stallion career in Arkansas in 2025, said Eddie Milligan Jr., who trained the 6-year-old son of Malibu Moon at the end of his racing career.

Randy Patterson said he will stand Last Samurai at Lake Hamilton Equine, just west of Hot Springs. Patterson owns Cedar Run Farm, a nearby foaling facility. Patterson said Last Samurai’s fee will be $2,000, adding the family of Willis Horton will retain ownership in the horse.

Last Samurai, a $175,000 purchase by the late Willis Horton, compiled a 6-5-4 record from 32 lifetime starts and earned $2,257,109.

All four of Last Samurai’s stakes victories came at Oaklawn. Last Samurai, then with trainer Dallas Stewart, won the $150,000 Poinsettia in 2021 and the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) the following year. Last Samurai won the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) and $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) in 2023 for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Last Samurai was winless in four starts this year, including sixth-place finishes in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) and $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) last spring in Hot Springs. His final start came Aug. 4.

Finish Lines

Racing resumes Friday at Oaklawn. First post is 12:30 p.m. CST. … Grade 2 winner Taxed is the 8-5 program favorite for Saturday’s $150,000 Mistletoe Stakes for fillies and mares, 3 and up, at 1 mile. The Mistletoe is the third of an Oaklawn-record 57 stakes races scheduled to run in 2024-2025. … El Diablo Rojo ($28.40) edged heavily favored Like a Saltshaker by a half-length to win last Saturday’s seventh race at Oaklawn, a starter-allowance sprint for older horses. El Diablo Rojo is trained by Sean Williams, whose brother, trainer Matt Williams, won last Saturday’s sixth race at Oaklawn with Mischievous Gal ($9.40). Like a Saltshaker was exiting a victory in the Claiming Crown’s $125,000 Rapid Transit starter-allowance sprint Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs. … Oaklawn maiden special weight graduate Ice Orchid is in foal to millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner Charlatan, according to John Gasper, racing manager for Arkansan John Ed Anthony (Shortleaf Stable), who owns the 5-year-old mare. Charlatan won 4 of 5 career starts, including the first division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) in 2020 at Oaklawn for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.