Oaklawn Park Racetrack
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Oaklawn Park Track Facts
- Address: 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901
- Phone: (800) 625-5296
- Website: www.oaklawnpark.com
- Main track (dirt): 1 mile, oval
- Length of stretch from last turn to finish line: 1,155 feet
- Width of stretch: 70 feet
- Width of turns: 80 feet
- Composition: 2" sandy loam cushion, 3" sandy loam cushion compacted, 10" sand / silt, 30" clay and natural soil
Oaklawn Racing & Gaming opened on February 24th, 1905. It is currently owned by the Oaklawn Jockey Club. The venue hosts a variety of Thoroughbred racing events and is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is universally considered one of the best tracks in the country.
The 2023-2024 season at Oaklawn Park will run from Friday, December 8th through Saturday, May 4th. Typical race days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Though formally branded as Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, the facility is most often referred to as Oaklawn Park.
More Oaklawn Park Live Racing Information
Oaklawn Major Race Event Dates for 2023-2024
Currently, Oaklawn Park hosts two Grade I races. The Arkansas Derby is limited to three-year-old colts and serves as one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby. Oaklawn Park also hosts the Apple Blossom Handicap, a contest limited to fillies and mares ages four and up with implications for the Kentucky Oaks.
| DATE | RACE | PURSE / RESTRICTIONS | SURFACE / DISTANCE |
|---|
December 8 | The Advent | $150,000 / 2YO | Dirt / 5 1/2 F |
December 9 | The Mistletoe | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Dirt / 1 M |
December 9 | The Ring the Bell | $150,000 / 3&UP | Dirt / 6 F |
December 16 | The Tinsel | $200,000 / 3&UP | Dirt / 1 1/8 M |
December 30 | The Poinsettia | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Dirt / 5 1/2 F |
December 31 | The Year’s End | $200,000 / 2YO F | Dirt / 1 M |
December 31 | The Renaissance | $150,000 / 2YO | Dirt / 6 F |
January 1 | The Smarty Jones | $300,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
January 6 | The Pippin | $150,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
January 13 | The Mockingbird | $150,000 / 3 YO Fillies | Dirt / 6 F |
January 20 | The Fifth Season | $150,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 M |
January 27 | The Southwest (G3) | $800,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
January 27 | The Martha Washington | $250,000 / 3YO F | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
January 27 | The American Beauty | $150,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 6 F |
January 27 | The King Cotton | $150,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 6 F |
February 3 | The Bayakoa (G3) | $250,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
February 10 | The Ozark | $150,000 / 3 YO | Dirt / 6 F |
February 17 | The Dixie Belle | $150,000 / 3YO F | Dirt / 6 F |
February 24 | $1,250,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 1 1/16 M | |
February 24 | The Razorback Handicap (G3) | $600,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
February 24 | The Honeybee (G3) | $400,000 / 3YO F | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
February 24 | The Carousel | $150,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 6 F |
March 2 | The Downthedustyroad Breeders’ | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M (AR) | Dirt / 6 F |
March 2 | The Nodouble Breeders’ | $150,000 / 3&UP (AR) | Dirt / 6 F |
March 9 | The Azeri (G2) | $400,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
March 16 | The Whitmore (G3) | $250,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 6 F |
March 16 | The Purple Martin | $200,000 / 3YO F | Dirt / 6 F |
March 23 | The Essex Handicap (G3) | $600,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 1/8 M |
March 23 | The Hot Springs | $200,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 1 M |
March 29 | The Temperence Hill | $200,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 1/2 M |
March 30 | $1,500,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 1 1/8 M | |
March 30 | The Fantasy (G3) | $750,000 / 3YO F | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
March 30 | The Oaklawn Mile (G3) | $500,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 M |
March 30 | The Matron | $250,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 6 F |
April 6 | The Rainbow | $150,000 / 3YO (AR) | Dirt / 6 F |
April 6 | The Rainbow Miss | $150,000 / 3YO F (AR) | Dirt / 6 F |
April 13 | The Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) | $1,250,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
April 13 | The Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) | $500,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 6 F |
April 20 | The Oaklawn Handicap (G2) | $1,250,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 1/8 M |
April 20 | The Bathhouse Row | $200,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 1 1/8 M |
April 20 | The Valley of the Vapors | $200,000 / 3YO F | Dirt / 1 M |
April 27 | The Bachelor | $200,000 / 3YO | Dirt / 6 F |
April 27 | The Dig A Diamond | $200,000 / 4&UP, F&M | Dirt / 1 M |
May 3 | The Lake Ouachita | $200,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
May 3 | The Natural State Breeders’ | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M (AR) | Dirt / 1 M |
May 4 | The Arkansas Breeders’ Championship | $200,000 / 3&UP (AR) | Dirt / 1 1/16 M |
May 4 | The Lake Hamilton | $200,000 / 4&UP | Dirt / 6 F |
Oaklawn Park Racing & Gaming History
Since first opening its doors in 1905, Oaklawn has gone through a variety of upgrades and changes. Like most tracks in the country, it has endured with the economic times suffering during times like World War II and The Great Depression, while thriving under normal circumstances.
Oaklawn Park has recently been credited as one of the top-10 racing tracks in the United States. Notable horses who have run over the course include Cigar, Paseana, Zenyatta, Smarty Jones, and Afleet Alex.
The clubhouse at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming was designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, who is the same architect responsible for both Old Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field. The casino was added in 2008 thanks to a $3M addition and was instantly the largest facility of its kind in Arkansas. Unlike most facilities, Oaklawn Racing & Gaming does not have a turf track.
Oaklawn celebrated it’s 100th anniversary by offering a $5 million bonus to any horse that could sweep the Rebel, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones managed to accomplish this feat, and has since had the Smarty Jones Stakes named in his honour since 2008.
On February 24, 1905, Oaklawn presented its first racing card before a crowd of 3,000 that turned out after Hot Springs Mayor John Belding declared a half-day holiday for the city. The first race at the new track was won by Duelist, owned by John W. Schorr, a prominent Memphis sportsman, and since that time, Oaklawn has evolved into one of the premier race meets in the country. Best known as the home of the Racing Festival of the South and Arkansas Derby, the track has played host to some of the biggest names in the sport including champions Temperence Hill, Cigar, Curlin, Paseana, Azeri, Tiffany Lass, Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Rachel Alexandra, Lookin At Lucky, Blind Luck and Zenyatta
Between 1907 and 1916, Oaklawn Park faced some hardships as races were commonly cancelled because of the political problems in the state. The owners and bettors of Oaklawn would come to understand that political problems would continue to affect the track for the next 20 years.
By 1941, the total purse skyrocketed to $156,820 and was distributed in purses during the 30-day season, Feb. 24-March 29. Purse distribution continued to soar and in 1946 the track recorded a high of $283,180.
From 1951-75, many additions were made to Oaklawn's already impressive track record. A new parking lot was built to hold 800 vehicles and steam heat was installed in all of the private boxes in the paddock to better suit the track's elite clientele. Less than three years later an amazing dining room was added to the clubhouse and the main track was re-cushioned to allow for a more stable and breathable foundation.
In 1985, Oaklawn experienced its first year of reverse statistics. Wagering dropped by 8.1% and attendance dipped below 3.7% in comparison to 1984. Oaklawn Park Racetrack has seen its share of amazing and heart-stopping races. With the addition of "Instant Racing" - a pari-mutuel electronic system that allows players to wager on previously run races - Oaklawn Park ventured into the electronic gaming world and its offering was well received by visitors from around the world.
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