Long known for its 3-year-old stakes schedule, Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs has turned its attention to beefing up the opportunity to attract top older horses as well.
In its 2017 stakes schedule unveiled Thursday, Oaklawn has 31 stakes races totaling $8.25 million in purses. Several established events for older horses received healthy purse increases.
Oaklawn Park stakes schedule
JANUARY
DATE RACE CONDITIONS DISTANCE
13 $125,000 Fifth Season 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
14 $125,000 Pippin Stakes F&M 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
16 $150,000 Smarty Jones 3-year-olds 1 mile
21 $125,000 Dixie Belle 3-year-old fillies 6 furlongs
28 $125,000 American Beauty F&M 4-year-olds and up 6 furlongs
FEBRUARY
DATE RACE CONDITIONS DISTANCE
4 $125,000 King Cotton 4-year-olds and up 6 furlongs
11 $125,000 Martha Washington 3-year-old fillies 1 mile
18 $150,000 Bayakoa (Gr. III) F&M 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
20 $500,000 Razorback (Gr. III) 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
20 $500,000 Southwest (Gr. III) 3-year-olds 1 1/16 miles
24 $100,000 Downthedustyroad Br. F&M 3-year-olds and up (Ark.) 6 furlongs
25 $100,000 Nodouble Breeders’ 3-year-olds and up (Ark.) 6 furlongs
MARCH
DATE RACE CONDITIONS DISTANCE
4 $125,000 Spring Fever F&M 4-year-olds and up 5½ furlongs
4 $125,000 Gazebo 3-year-olds 6 furlongs
11 $125,000 Hot Springs 4 year-olds and up 6 furlongs
11 $200,000 Honeybee (Gr. III) 3-year-old fillies 1 1/16 miles
18 $250,000 Essex Handicap 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
18 $350,000 Azeri (Gr. II) F&M 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
18 $900,000 Rebel (Gr. II) 3-year-olds 1 1/16 miles
25 $150,000 Instant Racing 3-year-old fillies 6 furlongs
31 $100,000 Rainbow 3-year-olds (Ark.) 6 furlongs
APRIL
DATE RACE CONDITIONS DISTANCE
1 $100,000 Rainbow Miss 3-year-old fillies (Ark.) 6 furlongs
8 $150,000 Carousel F&M 4-year-olds and up 6 furlongs
8 $100,000 Ark. Breeders’ Open 3-year-olds and up (Ark.) 1 1/16 miles
RACING FESTIVAL OF THE SOUTH
DATE RACE CONDITIONS DISTANCE
13 $150,000 Bachelor 3-year-olds 6 furlongs
14 $600,000 Apple Blossom (Gr. I) F&M 4-year-olds and up 1 1/16 miles
14 $400,000 Fantasy (Gr. III) 3-year-old fillies 1 1/16 miles
15 $150,000 Northern Spur 3-year-olds 1 1/16 miles
15 $400,000 Count Fleet Spr. (Gr. III) 4-year-olds and up 6 furlongs
15 $750,000 Oak. Handicap (Gr. II) 4-year-olds and up 1 1/8 miles
15 $1 million Arkansas Derby (Gr. 1) 3-year-olds 1 1/8 miles
"We've become known for attracting the best 3-year-olds in the nation." David Longinotti, Oaklawn's director of racing, said in a statement. "Now we want to complement that by attracting the best older horses, too. And not just for the Oaklawn Handicap. We want our fans to be able to see them in February and maybe they'll get to see them again in March and April."
In an effort to offer a lucrative alternative to horses looking for a race in advance of the Dubai World Cup on March 25, Oaklawn increased the purse for the 1 1/16-mile Grade III Razorback Handicap for horses 4-years-old and up from $350,000 to $500,000. It also was moved from March to Feb. 20, where it will share the card with the Grade III $500,000 Southwest Stakes, which also covers 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds.
The purse for the Essex Handicap (1 1/16 miles for 4-year-olds and up) was increased from $100,000 to $250,000. It was moved to March 18, where it will share the card with the Grade II $900,000 Rebel Stakes (1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds) and the Grade II $350,000 Azeri Stakes (1 1/16 miles for older fillies and mares).
In addition, purses for 10 other stakes races have been increased by at least $10,000. The Grade III Bayakoa for older fillies and mares on Feb. 18 had its purse increased from $100,000 to $150,000. Also, the Grade III Honeybee for 3-year-old fillies on March 11 went from $150,000 to $200,000.
Oaklawn's live season again will close with the Racing Festival of the South on April 13-15. The Festival opens Thursday with the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes for 3-year-olds. It continues Friday with the Grade I $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares, and the Grade III $400,000 Fantasy Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
On Saturday, there will be the $150,000 Northern Spur Stakes for 3-year-olds, the Grade III $400,000 Count Fleet Handicap for 4-year-olds and up, the Grade II $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap for 4-year-olds and up, and the Grade I $1 million Arkansas Derby for 3-year-olds.
"Multi-stakes days have proven successful here over the past several years," Longinotti said. "By combining our biggest races select days, we heighten the racing excitement for our fans. It also makes it more convenient for horsemen shipping to Hot Springs from all over the country."
Oaklawn's live racing season opens Jan. 13.
Sports on 07/29/2016