Off and running: Photos from opening day at Oaklawn

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs opened its 57-day live racing season Friday with a nine-race card that included the $125,000 Fifth Season Stakes.
Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs opened its 57-day live racing season Friday with a nine-race card that included the $125,000 Fifth Season Stakes.

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs opens its 57-day season of live thoroughbred racing.

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Jockeys Ramon Vazquez (far right), Glenn Corbett (center) and Calvin Borel (left) battle shortly after the start of the seventh race. Vazquez and P C Cowboy won the race, paying $35.60, $14.20 and $7.20. Vazquez rode two winners and finished second twice in eight starts Friday.

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Roma Road (5) and jockey Alex Birzer break first from the starting gate in Friday’s fourth race at Oaklawn. Roma Road and Birzer led wire to wire, finishing 1¾ lengths ahead of Strut N Swagger (12) and jockey Ramon Vazquez.

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Erik McNeil (left), aboard Guska Mon Shoes, is congratulated by Chris Landeros, aboard Tour de Rock, after winning Friday’s second race. It was Guska Mon Shoes’ fourth Oaklawn victory in 17 starts.

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Ladakh and jockey Chris Landeros are led from the paddock for Friday’s seventh race. Ladakh finished 10th among 11 starters in his second career start.

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The field for Friday’s fourth race rounds the far turn and enters the homestretch. Roma Road (right) was the winner, Strut N Swagger (far left) placed second and Rage Riot (second from right) was third.

Photos from the 2017 opening day are by Benjamin Krain, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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