New claiming program will raise funds for Thoroughbred aftercare

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – In a new program instituted by Oaklawn Park, a portion of claiming revenues this meet will be set aside for aftercare programs.

“We’re pushing to make sure everyone knows our athletes, when they’re done on the racetrack, that they have another life,” said Pat Pope, racing secretary at Oaklawn.

Those making claims will be charged an additional one-half of 1 percent of the claiming price for aftercare organizations unless they opt out of the program by checking off a box on the claim slip. The funds are to be distributed to aftercare programs approved by both the Arkansas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Oaklawn.

It could add up to a nice amount of hay, grain, healthcare, and treats for retired Thoroughbreds.

Last year, Oaklawn experienced 560 claims for a track-record $9,114,750 in transactions among stables, according to figures provided by Terri Hoffrogge, horsemen’s bookkeeper at Oaklawn.

The claiming activity at Oaklawn has been good for residents of Arkansas, too. The 9.5 percent tax rate on claims sent a total of $865,901 to state, county, and city coffers in 2019, according to figures from Hoffrogge.

Hoffrogge said there were 21 claims over the first three dates of this year’s meet last week, for $471,000 in transactions. During the corresponding period a year ago, there were 22 claims for $315,250.