Oaklawn cancels Saturday racing; Rebel Day still on for Sunday

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has canceled live racing for Saturday, but remains on schedule to conduct the Rebel Day card on Sunday, track president Lou Cella said. He said Oaklawn also is scheduled to race Monday.

Oaklawn has had to cancel training from Wednesday through Friday after a winter storm system brought freezing temperatures that dropped dangerously cold in the overnight hours. Officials had hoped to open for training Friday afternoon, but now the intention is to reopen for training in the afternoon hours Saturday.

“We can’t race without these horses being in the best shape possible,” Cella said. “We had to make the tough decision to cancel [Saturday] to make sure the horses are totally prepared for Sunday’s Rebel Day card and Monday’s card.”

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Earlier this week, Oaklawn announced it was moving each of the cards already drawn for this week back a day, with the raceweek to have started Saturday instead of Friday. The Rebel Day card was moved from Saturday to Sunday and the original Sunday card was moved to Monday.

The storm system moved in late Tuesday. Temperatures began to rise above freezing later in the afternoon Friday. It is scheduled to be in the 50s on Sunday.

Cella said initial plans are for the lost Saturday card to be made up during a warmer month this meet, which runs to Kentucky Derby Day.

Rebel Day is traditionally the second biggest day of the meet at Oaklawn. In addition to the Kentucky Derby points race, this year’s program includes the Grade 3, $500,000 Honeybee, which is a qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks, the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap, and the $150,000 Carousel.

“What a card it’s going to be,” said Cella.

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