Oaklawn reverts to 48-hour entry schedule

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., will revert back to a 48-hour entry schedule on most days during its 2008 meet, which opens Jan. 18. The first card of the meet will be drawn Jan. 16.

Oaklawn experimented with a different entry schedule during this year's meet, drawing all of its races at least 72 hours in advance. Next year, Oaklawn will still draw some of its cards at least 72 hours in advance, including programs that open the race week, whether a Wednesday or a Thursday.

Oaklawn will race 54 dates in 2008, through April 12. There will be racing on two holiday Mondays, the first on Jan. 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the second on Feb. 18, Presidents Day.

Purses at the meet are projected at $300,000 per day. The traditional highlight of the season is the closing day Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby, which this year was won by eventual Breeders' Cup Classic victor Curlin.

Stall applications for the Oaklawn meet are due Nov. 7. The track will open for stabling and training Dec. 1.