The Arkansas Racing Commission has appointed longtime racing official and state steward James Lages to the position of state steward for the 2021-2022 Oaklawn live season, which runs Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 to Sunday, May 8, 2022 in Hot Springs, Ark. Lages replaces Bernie Hettel, who served as state steward the last two Oaklawn meets.
“We are excited to have James Lages as the state steward of Arkansas,” Arkansas Racing Commission chairman Alex Lieblong said. “He brings a wealth of experience to the position, including having the insight only a former rider could have. His knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to work with Oaklawn to make Arkansas one of the strongest racing jurisdictions in the country.”
Lages is currently serving as state steward at Indiana Grand. He has also held the state steward position at Gulfstream Park, Pompano-Isle Casino, Colonial Downs, Monmouth Park, Delaware Park, Calder Racecourse and Fairmount Park. Lages began his career in racing as a multiple-stakes winning jockey and has held various positions as a racing official, including Patrol Judge, Paddock Judge and Claims Clerk. He was the Clerk of Scales at Monmouth Park for 11 seasons.
“I'm excited, it's an honor to be appointed State Steward of Arkansas,” Lages said. “Oaklawn has a rich racing history, great horsemen and a great future. I've already had a really warm welcome. I'm looking forward to the meet.”
Oaklawn has named longtime steward Rick Brasher as association steward for the upcoming live meet.
“Oaklawn is very happy to have Rick Brasher as our association steward,” vice president of racing Jason Milligan said. “He has a lot of experience, comes highly recommended and is well-respected by many of our horsemen that have worked with him at other tracks. As a former trainer, he brings a lot of valuable knowledge to the stewards' stand.”
Brasher, a Texas native, is currently a state steward in Oklahoma, working primarily at Will Rogers Downs, where he is chief steward, and Fair Meadows. He has also been a state steward in Texas, working at Sam Houston, Retama and Lone Star Park, in Louisiana at Evangeline Downs and in Wyoming at Wyoming Downs. He has been an association steward at Fair Grounds. Prior to his 20-year career as a steward, he was a trainer and worked as a starter at Retama.
“It's just an honor to work at Oaklawn,” Brasher said. “I'm really looking forward to it. When I was a trainer, it was always my favorite place to race. I have a lot of fond memories there and I'm looking forward to getting back to Hot Springs.”
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