Oaklawn's proposed schedule brings back four-day-a-week racing

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Oaklawn has proposed a 64-date meet for next season that includes a four-days-a-week racing schedule in February, March and April. There would be a more than three week break in January.

The calendar is pending approval of the Arkansas Racing Commission, which is scheduled to meet Thursday.

Oaklawn has raced three days a week for most of the current season, which ends Saturday.

The proposal for next season calls for opening Dec. 12 and racing through May 2, 2026. The track would race three days a week through Dec. 28, running every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Oaklawn would then conduct a four-day race week Jan. 1-4 before pausing live racing until Jan. 30.

From there, racing most weeks would be conducted Thursday through Sunday. A holiday Monday card is scheduled for Feb. 16, and Arkansas Derby Day would be March 28, according to a calendar provided by Oaklawn executive Chris Ho.

* The Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled to appear Saturday at Oaklawn, per Ho. He said the infield also is scheduled to be open on what is the final day of the meet.

* Skelly drew the outside post in a field of six for the $200,000 Lake Hamilton on Friday at Oaklawn. The 12-race card also includes the Bachelor, which is led by Kale’s Angel.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.