HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park will race into May next year in the most significant change to its racing calendar since World War II, the track announced Wednesday. The 2019 meet is scheduled to open two weeks later, on Jan. 25, and run through May 4, the date of next year’s Kentucky Derby. Oaklawn has traditionally closed its meet with the running of the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby. The Arkansas Derby’s mid-April placement will remain intact, with next year’s race set for April 13. Oaklawn also will keep the same number of dates – 57 – and the same racing schedule of Thursday through Sunday. There also will be a Monday card on Feb. 18. The schedule change was approved at a Wednesday morning meeting of the Arkansas Racing Commission. “This is an idea that has been discussed internally for a number of years and now the time seems right to make the change,” said Lou Cella, president of Oaklawn. “The quality of our program is calling on us to present racing in the most favorable weather conditions. There is nowhere in America more beautiful for great racing than Arkansas in the spring.” Oaklawn has regularly lost racing to winter weather each January, including two cards this year. Horsemen approved the new dates structure, said Linda Gaston, president of the Arkansas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “This makes all the sense in the world,” she said. “Oaklawn is one of the top tracks in America with some of the richest purses. It stands to reason that showcasing racing in the best possible weather will benefit the entire program. Our board supported this plan unanimously.” Cella said the focus of next year’s meet will still be Arkansas Derby Day. “But now,” he said, “live racing at Oaklawn will also be part of the Kentucky Derby experience three weeks later, when our racing fans will be able to cheer on the horses representing them in Louisville.” Oaklawn annually had closed its meet with the running of the Arkansas Derby, except in 1945 when it had to postpone the meet until the fall due to wartime restrictions, according to a press release issued Wednesday.