Increased Average Field Size, Plenty of Competition Highlight Season at Will Rogers Downs

[Wandering Eyes]

The 2025 Thoroughbred racing season draw to a close May 14 with the last of a 28-day racing season that saw an increased average field size and strong competition across the board.

Mister Omaha, a 3-year-old son of Omaha Beach, was named the 2025 horse of the meet at the Claremont, Oklahoma, oval with a four-length victory in the six-furlong Welder Stakes (NBT) in March and an 18 1/4-length romp in the Will Rogers Downs Handicap (NBT) over a mile on Kentucky Derby day May 3. His trainer Joe Offolter took home honors as the leading trainer of the meet with 14 wins from 67 starters, while Bryan Hook, owner and breeder of Mister Omaha, was the meet's leading owner with a mark of 10-13-4 from 48 starters and earnings of $276,000. Alfredo Triana, Jr. was the leading jockey with 27 wins from 164 rides, six better than Richard Eramia and Elvin Gonzalez.

“One of the biggest positives this season was how spread out the wins were across the board,” said John Lies (pronounced Lees), racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “We didn't see only two or three big barns dominating the winners' circle–almost every one won more than a few races. Even the trainer division was contentious from day one and went right down to the last race in determining the season's leader.

“Mister Omaha is one to watch as he steps up to take on graded stakes outside of Oklahoma this year,” added Lies. “His win in the Will Rogers Handicap was a cut above the typical stakes-winning performances we expect in Claremore. Overall, it headlined our most shining moments in the stakes and handicap divisions this year.”

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