Oaklawn sets maiden races at $40,000

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has announced maiden special weight races for the meet that opens in January will start out at a record $40,000. Last season, the purses for such races started out at $36,000.

Oaklawn is projecting purses for the start of the meet will average $325,000 per day. The minimum purse for the meet will be $15,300. The record purse structure is being fueled in part by electronic gaming at the track.

“The continued success of Instant Racing and our gaming center keeps delivering as promised in the form of higher purses,” said David Longinotti, the assistant general manager of racing for Oaklawn who will attend the Keeneland auction Sept. 12-13.

Oaklawn last month announced a 34-race stakes schedule worth $5.2 million. Stall applications for the meet are due Oct. 27. The stable area will begin receiving horses Nov. 14.