Category: Oaklawn Park

Oaklawn Adds Two Days To 2023-2024 Racing Calendar

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The additional days of April 7 and May 5 will help make up for the recent cancellations due to inclement weather

 

Oaklawn, in Hot Springs, Ark., will add two additional race days – April 7 and May 5 – to the 2023-2024 racing calendar. The two added race days will help make up for the recent cancellations due to inclement weather.

“We are excited to announce the two additional dates of April 7 and May 5 to Oaklawn’s 2023-2024 racing calendar,” said Oaklawn President Louis Cella. “Thoroughbred racing is the heart and soul of Oaklawn, and adding these days provides even more opportunities for faithful fans to cheer on their favorite horses and for our horsemen to compete for additional purses.”

This decision will support Oaklawn’s horsemen with further opportunities to earn additional purses and provide it’s racing fans with more days to enjoy the best Thoroughbred racing in the country.

The 2024 Great American Eclipse will take place on April 8. The addition of April 7 as a race day comes in conjunction with Oaklawn, Hot Springs’ 2024 Eclipse Infield Event, which offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the total solar eclipse from the infield of Oaklawn’s historic racetrack.

LOUISIANA DOWNS, TURFWAY AND OAKLAWN CANCEL DUE TO WINTER FREEZE

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Following a spate of cancellations throughout the east, Louisiana Downs announced it will cancel the Thursday, Jan. 18 card due to continuing storms and freezing conditions throughout the region. The Bossier City oval also cancelled Monday and Tuesday’s cards.

Also forced to alter plans due to the weather, Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky announced it will cancel Friday and Saturday’s live racing. Saturday’s Leonatus S. will be redrawn and is expected to be carded for Feb. 2. Friday=s forecast called for about one inch of snow during the day with the feels-like temperature around 8 degrees and a northwest wind at 9 to 15 mph during the evening. Although the snow is expected to depart by Saturday, the wind chill will remain frigid, around 6 degrees at first post. Thursday’s card remains unchanged.

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas has also added its name to those forced to cancel this week. The track has cancelled racing Friday, Jan. 19 through Jan. 21. Simulcast will remain open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No Injuries Reported in Oaklawn Barn Fire

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An April 11 fire in Oaklawn Park‘s Wild Again barn detected shortly before 7 p.m. CT resulted in no injuries to horses or people after a safe evacuation, the Arkansas track said in a late Tuesday press release. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

The Hot Springs Fire Department along with Oaklawn’s security and staff worked quickly to extinguish the fire within minutes. The north end of the Wild Again barn was destroyed by the fire. All horses and humans have been relocated to nearby barns for the remainder of the season, which ends May 6. Trainer Ron Moquett posted a photo on twitter after the fire had been extinguished showing much smoke damage to the upper portion of the Wild Again barn.

Oaklawn expressed its appreciation to the Hot Springs Fire Department, Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County Sheriff’s Department, the horsemen, and the Oaklawn team members for their quick response and diligence in ensuring all horses were safe and sound and no other barns were affected.

OAKLAWN ADDS NINE STAKES RACES TO RECORD 2022-2023 SCHEDULE

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HOT SPRINGS, AR (Thursday, July 28, 2022) – Although it doesn’t begin until Friday, December 9, the 2022-2023 Oaklawn racing season has already broken at least two records. The Hot Springs, AR, track will offer the greatest number of stakes races and the highest stakes purses in its history.

Nine races have been added to the stakes schedule for the 68-day season, bringing the total to 45. Total purses offered for the stakes program have increased by $1.45 million to an all-time high of $13.75 million. The overall purse distribution for the season is projected to exceed $50 million, yet another record.

The stakes schedule is once again highlighted by the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 1, along with three $1 million stakes races – the Rebel Stakes (G2) February 25, the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 15, and the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 22.

This is the second consecutive season Oaklawn is opening in December. Oaklawn President Louis Cella said the expansion of the stakes program is made possible by the early start. “We were pleased with how December racing was received last year, by both racing fans and horsemen,” Cella said. “Now, we’re going to use our stakes schedule to build on that momentum.”

Three of the new Stakes races are scheduled for December, while the other six will take place during the final weeks of the season:

  • Ring the Bell Stakes ($150,000) – December 10
  • Renaissance Stakes ($150,000) – December 31
  • Year’s End Stakes ($150,000) – December 31
  • Matron Stakes ($250,000) – March 31
  • Hot Springs Stakes ($200,000) – April 1
  • Valley of the Vapors Stakes ($150,000) – April 22
  • Dig a Diamond Stakes ($150,000) – April 29
  • Lake Ouachita Stakes ($150,000) – May 5
  • Lake Hamilton Stakes ($150,000) – May 6

“One of the reasons Oaklawn has been successful for more than a century is because of where we are located,” Oaklawn General Manager Wayne Smith said. “Tourism is a major industry in our area, and Oaklawn is proud to be the state’s top tourism attraction. We wanted some stakes with names synonymous with Oaklawn’s hometown and the surrounding area.”

Oaklawn’s rich 3-year-old series, offering points towards eligibility in the Kentucky Derby (G1), begins January 1, with the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes and continues with the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) January 28, and the Rebel Stakes (G2) February 25, before culminating with the April 1 Arkansas Derby (G1). The 3-year-old filly series offering points towards eligibility in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) follows the same path as the males, starting January 28 with the $200,000 Martha Washington Stakes, and continues with the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) February 25, and $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 1.

Other notable highlights of Oaklawn’s 2022-2023 stakes schedule are the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) February 18, $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) and $200,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 18, and the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 15.

The 2022-2023 season runs Friday, December 9 through Saturday, May 6, Kentucky Derby Day.

Located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, Oaklawn is one of the premiere Thoroughbred racetracks in the country since 1904, best known as home of the Arkansas Derby. The casino features slots, live table games, and sports betting year-round. Live racing held Dec-May and simulcast racing throughout the year. Come visit the Oaklawn hotel, multi-purpose event center, state-of-the-art spa, and several dining options. Oaklawn.com, 1-800-OAKLAWN.

Un Ojo Among Trio To Post Final Workouts For Arkansas Derby

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Three projected starters for the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 2 recorded their final workouts over a fast track Saturday morning at Oaklawn.

The trio of workers included Un Ojo, the one-eyed gelding who recorded an upset victory in Oaklawn’s final major Arkansas Derby prep, the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 26, for Louisiana-based trainer Ricky Courville.

Un Ojo breezed by himself after the surface renovation break under Rebel-winning rider Ramon Vazquez and covered a half-mile in :48.80. The gelding galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:02.

“Easy half, in hand,” said Clay Courville, who assists his father and regularly gallops Un Ojo. “Just a maintenance work. Northing hard. Just something to keep him happy.”

Un Ojo was breezing for the second time since winning the 1 1/16-mile Rebel at odds of 75-1. Un Ojo arrived Wednesday afternoon after a 5 ½-hour van ride from his south Louisiana base, The Training Center At Copper Crowne. Un Ojo returned to the work tab March 19 at The Training Center At Copper Crowne, clocking 5 furlongs in 1:03.

Working a half-mile approximately 15 minutes after the track opened at 7 a.m. (Central) was unbeaten We the People for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. We the People, as he normally does, breezed in company, this time with Triple Crown nominee and stablemate Kuchar, who is being pointed for the $150,000 Oaklawn Stakes April 23. We the People went in :47.80 and galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 under Brisset, his normal morning partner.

“Very good,” Brisset said. “Usual work for him. Same work we did last time before the allowance – :48, a minute and change – galloped out strong. Just a maintenance work at seven days. It was very good. Hopefully, he came out of it OK and we go from there.”

Also working in company just after the track opened was Ben Diesel for trainer Dallas Stewart. A full brother to multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Girls Secret, Ben Diesel recorded a 5-furlong bullet (:59) under regular rider Jon Court. Ben Diesel breezed with older stablemate Last Samurai, who won the $150,000 Poinsettia Stakes for 3-year-olds Dec. 11.

 

Oaklawn Increases Purses

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Oaklawn will offer across-the-board purse increases beginning  Mar. 11. Claiming and starter allowance races will receive a $4,000 bump, with maiden special weights and allowances up by $6,000. The minimum purse is now set at $29,000 with maiden special weights at $90,000 and allowances at $106,000.

With the past three weeks having seen an increase in both on and off track wagering, Oaklawn has added an additional day to its schedule on Apr. 7. The live meet will run through May 8.

 

Oaklawn Park Cancels Racing Through Weekend

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Due to the effects of a winter storm hitting Arkansas, Oaklawn Park canceled racing Feb. 4-6. The lost race dates will be replaced with racing added March 17, 24, and 31, a series of Thursdays.

“It’s never an easy decision to cancel live racing, but it’s the right decision for the safety of our horses and our fans traveling this weekend,” Oaklawn Park general manager Wayne Smith said. “We’re looking forward to an outstanding weekend Feb. 11-13 featuring two graded stakes and the Voices of Rock concert in the Oaklawn Event Center next Saturday. We appreciate the cooperation from the horsemen and our commission in rescheduling the races.”

In addition, the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3), originally scheduled for Saturday, will now be run Feb. 12. The Bayakoa, a 1 1/16-mile race for older fillies and mares, will now be the supporting feature on a card highlighted by the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses at the same distance.

Extreme Cold Forces Oaklawn To Cancel Racing, Training On Friday

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Due to extreme cold temperatures in the region, Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. will cancel training and racing on Friday, Jan. 21.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures as low as 16 degrees (F) on Thursday night, with a high of just 35 on Friday. Wind chills on Friday could be as low as 7.

According to the track’s Twitter feed, the goal is to resume racing and training on Saturday, Jan. 22, with post time Saturday afternoon moved to a 1:00 PM (Central) start time.

Normal schedules are expected to resume on Sunday, Jan. 23.

FIRST CONDITION BOOK NOW AVAILABLE FOR OAKLAWN MEET

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The richest meet in the 118-year history of Oaklawn is set to begin on Dec. 3 and will feature maiden special weights for $84,000 and open allowances starting at $100,000. Overall, the 66-day season will offer purses between $45 million and $50 million.

Stall applications and the first condition book are now available at http://www.oaklawn.com/racing/horsemen/. Stall applications are due on Thursday, Oct. 21.

“Our slogan has been ‘A New Level of Racing’ the last few years and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “Our purses will be among the highest in the country between December and May, and the entertainment value we offer will be second to none. Our luxury hotel, spa and event center are fully open. The excitement heading into our live season has never been greater.”

Oaklawn plans to offer nine races per card, while racing on a Friday – Sunday basis with a few exceptions. There will be no racing Christmas week or Easter Sunday. Oaklawn will race Monday, Feb. 17, Presidents’ Day. Purses for claiming races will range between a minimum of $25,000 and $55,000 in book one.

In support of its top level of racing, Oaklawn previously announced, subject to regulatory approval, the prohibition of Clenbuterol or any other beta2-agonist within 120 days of a race. This restriction is part of Oaklawn’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety and integrity of its racing program.

Conducted by Industrial Labs, the presence of Clenbuterol and other beta2-agonist will be determined through blood, urine and hair follicle testing.

Oaklawn’s 2021-2022 season runs from Friday, Dec. 3 to Sunday, May 8. The schedule also features a total of 36 stakes worth $12,300,000, highlighted by the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1), which received a $250,000 increase for 2022 and three $1 million stakes races – $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2), $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).

Reservations for the Oaklawn Hotel during the 2021-2022 live meet can be made by visiting http://www.Oaklawn.com or calling 501-363-4625.

OAKLAWN RENEWS COMMITMENT TO CLENBUTEROL FREE RACING

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Hot Springs, Ark. (Thursday, July 29, 2021) – Working in partnership with the Arkansas Racing Commission and the Arkansas HBPA (Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), Oaklawn has announced, subject to regulatory approval, the prohibition of Clenbuterol or any other beta2-agonist within 120 days of a race. This restriction is part of Oaklawn’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety and integrity of its racing program.

Conducted by Industrial Labs, the presence of Clenbuterol and other beta2-agonist will be determined through blood, urine and hair follicle testing.

“Banning the use of Clenbuterol and other beta2-agonists further proves our commitment to the safety and integrity of our racing program,” said Oaklawn President Louis Cella. “Every decision we make is to enhance the experience of our horsemen and fans at Oaklawn. When we say “Racing First,’ we lead by example.”

Oaklawn’s 2021-2022 season runs from Friday, Dec. 3 to Sunday, May 8. The schedule features a total of 36 stakes worth $12,300,000, highlighted by the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and three $1 million stakes races – $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2), $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1). All allowance races will be worth a minimum of $100,000 as part of the richest purse structure in Oaklawn’s 118-year history.