Purses through the roof as meet opens; Arkansas Derby now $1.5 million

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park will launch the most lucrative winter meet in the nation on Friday, when it rolls out a racing program projected to average $900,000 a day in purses.

The 66-day meet runs through May 4.

The track-record riches come courtesy of gains in handle and a thriving casino. They include a 47-race stakes schedule worth $16.2 million. The centerpiece is the Arkansas Derby on March 30. Its purse has been boosted to $1.5 million in a move that puts its value at the same level as this year’s Preakness.

For overnight purses, individual races will be worth as much as $145,000.

“We’re giving away $60 million,” said Lou Cella, the president of Oaklawn. “Our lowest purse is $30,000. It wasn’t too long ago that was the highest purse we’d ever offered. Now, maiden races are $115,000, allowances start at $140,000.

“Nationally, you can’t find anything like that this time of year. So, we’re very excited to offer that. It looks like it’s resonating with owners and trainers. We’ve got a number of new outfits coming in.”

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Oaklawn’s roster of regulars again includes Hall of Fame trainers Steve Asmussen, Wayne Lukas, and Nick Zito.

“I like the way they do things,” said Zito, a New Yorker. “Toby Keith nicknamed me the Yankee Cowboy. I guess there’s something to that. I guess that’s why I’m at Oaklawn.”

Zito said he’s received his share of inquiries about Oaklawn’s purses from folks back East.

“Mike Repole asked me, ‘Where are you going this winter,’ ” Zito said of the prominent owner. “I told him about Oaklawn. He said, ‘Maybe I’ll send you a horse.’ Knowing Mike, that’s like 90 percent. He’s an action guy.”

Lukas said in addition to Oaklawn’s purses, owners like having horses at the meet for the racing atmosphere.

“They want to enjoy the camaraderie and enjoy the competition,” he said.

Asmussen and company will bring plenty of competition. He has horses entered in 13 races over the two-day opening weekend on Friday and Saturday – more than any other trainer.

The Arkansas Derby, which last year was worth $1.25 million, leads the meet’s four Kentucky Derby points races. The purse for each has been increased, starting with the $300,000 Smarty Jones on a special Monday card Jan. 1. The series continues with the Grade 3, $800,000 Southwest on Jan. 27 and the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel on Feb. 24.

For older horses, the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 13 and the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 20 will each be worth a record $1.25 million – up from $1 million. They are pillars of the Racing Festival of the South, a collection of major stakes spanning several weeks late in the meet.

Other high points this season include a full card of 2-year-old races on Dec. 31. Hall of Fame Day is set for March 16, said Cella. It brings together Hall of Fame members for a full weekend of activities at Oaklawn.

:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures

“Sandy Hawley called me two weeks ago wanting to know the dates,” Cella said. “He’s planning to travel abroad and he wanted to work around those days. The Hall of Famers love it. The fans love it.”

Oaklawn also will be the center of attention in early April when a total solar eclipse cuts a path through Hot Springs.

◗ “Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whooo’s That Horse?” is a new children’s book that will be released Friday in both the gift shops at Oaklawn and at LouisvilleGallery.com.

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