Oaklawn to Offer Record Purses in 2021

Pending approval from the Arkansas Racing Commission, Oaklawn Park plans to conduct its regular 57-day meet in 2021 with four $1 million stakes races—the Rebel Stakes (G2), Arkansas Derby (G1), Oaklawn Handicap (G2), and Apple Blossom Handicap (G1)—the track announced Aug. 26. Next year's season, expected to offer the richest purse structure in the track's 117-year history, will run from Jan. 22-May 1.

Twenty-one stakes will have their purses raised by at least $25,000, some even higher, led by significant increases to both the Essex Handicap March 13 and Oaklawn Mile Stakes April 10, which will be worth $500,000 and $400,000, respectively. The purse of the Feb. 13 Razorback Handicap (G3) will be raised by $100,000 to $600,000. All stakes, including ones for state-breds, will be at least $150,000 apiece.

"We would not be able to once again offer record purses next year if it weren't for the tremendous support we've received from the Arkansas Racing Commission, the horsemen, and our fans in 2020," Oaklawn president Louis Cella said in a release. "We are excited to continue building on our 'New Level of Excellence,' which will include our new hotel, event center, state-of-the-art spa, and additional restaurants, which are all on schedule to open late 2020/early 2021." 

In total, the 2021 slate features 33 stakes worth $11 million.

Earlier this year, during a meet in which COVID-19 resulted in a portion of the season being run without fans in attendance, the track ran 36 stakes worth just over $9.2 million. The track split the Arkansas Derby into two divisions worth $500,000 each.

Oaklawn did not announce how its meet could be affected if the COVID-19 pandemic continues into the new year.

The Arkansas track's rich 3-year-old program will begin opening day, Jan. 22, with the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes and culminate closing day, May 1, with the $300,000 Oaklawn Invitational. In between are the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 15, the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 13, and the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 10.

The latter race, a major steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), will be joined by three stakes on the April 10 card. 

The track's five signature races that comprise the traditional Racing Festival of the South will be run over three Saturdays starting with the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 3 for 3-year-old fillies on the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail. 

"Once finalized, the full purse program will be released soon," added Oaklawn general manager Wayne Smith. "We anticipate it will exceed $700,000 a day."

Racing will be conducted Friday-Sunday for the first two weeks of the meet and then shift to a Thursday-Sunday schedule starting in February. There will be racing on Presidents Day, Feb. 15, but not on Easter Sunday, April 4.