Plenty of action at the Oaklawn claiming box

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The claiming box is getting a workout this season at Oaklawn Park. It’s just a month into the meet, and already 179 horses have changed hands through Sunday. The total claiming commerce between stables has reached $2.6 million.

Highlights include a 16-way shake for Big Sugarush in the second race last Saturday. Later on the same program, there was an 11-way shake for Bad Student. Big Sugarush was in for a claiming price of $5,000 and Bad Student for $12,500. Earlier in the meet, seven horses were claimed from the fourth race Jan. 28, each for $16,000.

Oaklawn is averaging more than nine horses claimed each program since the meet started Jan. 15.

“It’s insane,” said trainer Brad Cox. “It’s the purses. It’s just the purses are so good, really for all levels. That’s why people are claiming horses. It’s kind of insane to see nine horses in a race, and seven of them are claimed.”

Oaklawn has rolled out record purses for the new meet. Cox noted that the purse for an optional $20,000 claiming race that carries first-level allowance conditions is $70,000. The bottom claiming level is $5,000, and the purse is $21,000.