Oaklawn increases overnight purses for 2015

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., anticipates distributing a record $23.5 million in purses during its 57-date meet that opens on Jan. 9, the track announced Thursday. It is the seventh straight year Oaklawn has been able to increase purses, bolstered in part by revenues from its ontrack gaming center that is in the process of being expanded for 2015.

Oaklawn will open its meet with maiden special weight races worth $60,000, an increase of $5,000 over the start of the meet this past winter and up from $34,000 in 2007. In other categories, no-conditions allowance races will be worth as much as $65,000, up $5,000 from the start of last season, while the meet will open with a minimum purse of $18,000, a boost of $500.

Oaklawn previously announced its stakes schedule would be worth a record $6.6 million for 2015. The track’s total purse distribution has increased by 33 percent since 2008, according to a release issued by Oaklawn.

“In this day and age, it’s always gratifying to be able to raise purses–and for us to be able to do so year after year is a reflection of Oaklawn’s commitment to bringing the highest quality racing to Arkansas,” said David Longinotti, director of racing for Oaklawn.

Oaklawn will race through April 11. The track’s stall applications are due Oct. 23.