Big purses lure 17 new faces to Oaklawn trainer ranks

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn’s purses are projected to average more than $900,000 per card, and the riches over an extended period of dates have helped lure 17 new trainers to the meet.

“These are outfits that run in New York or Florida or California and elsewhere,” Oaklawn president Lou Cella said. “They’re making a concerted effort to relocate for the season. They see the shining star and they’re headed for it.”

Some of the new faces expected to have divisions at the meet include Ray Ashford Jr., Mark Casse, Phil D’Amato, Bart Hone, Jeremiah Englehart, Todd Fincher, David Jacobson, Saffie Joseph Jr., and Michael Stidham.

Racing secretary Pat Pope said Oaklawn’s racing program is adding 10 overnight stakes this meet, with varying conditions, like nonwinners of a sweepstakes. Each is worth $145,000.

“Instead of jumping right into a stakes,” Pope said, “we’re giving you another option to get a little more seasoning and to develop your horse a little bit more before you face the best in that division.”

One of the races is named the American Pharoah. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of his Triple Crown sweep – as well as his victories in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby.

Oaklawn’s maiden special weight races will be worth $110,000 this meet, while first-level allowances are worth $130,000 and no-conditions allowances, $140,000. Pope said the minimum purse at the meet is $32,000, which is for both the $7,500 claiming level and $10,000 maiden claimers. He said a first-place finish would be worth $19,200.

“That pays a lot of bills,” Pope said.

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The purses are fueled in part by rising handle and the 1,441 slot terminals and 31 table games in the ontrack casino at Oaklawn.

Pope said there are at least seven or eight apprentice riders expected to be active early on at Oaklawn.

Erik Asmussen, who won the riding title at Lone Star Park near Dallas, is part of a group that includes Tyler Bacon, Joseph Bealmer, Jose R. Gutierrez, Erick Medellin, Cesar Perez, Amanda Poston, and Joseph Romero.

“I know for a fact the last 10 years we’ve not had this many bug riders start the meet,” Pope said. “I’m really happy to see it.”

◗ Barber Road, who was the runner-up in the Southwest and Arkansas Derby in 2022 before running a close sixth in the Kentucky Derby, will be working as a stable pony this meet at Oaklawn, said his longtime trainer, John Ortiz.

◗ Take a Look, a daughter of Into Mischief and Kentucky Oaks winner Abel Tasman, is on the also-eligible list for the eighth race, a maiden special weight. She is trained by Brad Cox.

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