Oaklawn Park Raises Overnight Purses
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Photo: Coady Photography
Bye Bye J wins the Downthedustyroad Breeders' Stakes before a crowded Oaklawn Park grandstand
An already rich purse structure at Oaklawn Park is growing richer. The track in Hot Springs, Ark., announced a series of purse hikes to its daily race cards in a notice on its Feb. 29 overnight of entries.
Beginning Saturday, allowance races will increase $4,000, maiden special weight races and claiming races for tags of $20,000 or higher will grow $2,000, and claiming races for $16,000 or less will grow $1,000.
With the changes in effect, the sixth race, an allowance optional claimer, carries a purse of $94,000, a level that exceeds purses for some stakes in other regions.
Fueled by casino gaming and vibrant on-track racing business, Oaklawn has a 57-day meet with a record $35 million in total purses, including 33 stakes. The first of four $1 million stakes is the March 14 Rebel Stakes (G2), a leading Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep race.
The other $1 million races are the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 11 and the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and Oaklawn Handicap (G2), both April 18.