Oaklawn Announces Mid-Season Purse Increase

Over the final eight weeks of its racing season, Oaklawn Park will pump an additional $2.5 million into overnight races, including increasing top allowance races to $110,000. The 15% across-the-board increase also takes maiden special weights to $93,000 and raises the bottom purse to $27,000. Oaklawn said the mid-season purse increase, announced March 9 by the Hot Springs, Ark., venue, is the largest in track history.

"It's been an interesting year to say the least, but it is very gratifying to announce this purse increase nearly a year after shutting the race meet and casino down to fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Oaklawn president Louis Cella said. "I wasn't sure we'd get here a couple weeks ago with all the bad winter weather, but our horsemen and fans are resilient. February ended with a tremendous weekend of racing and it was exciting to see fans back in the infield last week. I have no doubt the final eight weeks of racing are going to be exciting, especially with some of our marquee races still to come." 

The 12-race card on March 13 will be highlighted by the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds, a local stepping stone to the April 10 Arkansas Derby (G1) and a prep race for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) worth 50-20-10-5 qualifying points to the top four finishers. The card will also include the $500,000 Essex Handicap, $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares, $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes for sprinters, and $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes run at 1 1/2 miles.

"Rebel Stakes weekend has grown to be almost as big as Arkansas Derby Day and we're excited to be able to welcome more fans back just in time for the richest racing in our history," general manager Wayne Smith said. "Weather permitting, the infield will be open every Saturday throughout the end of the meet. The infield is truly a rite of spring and it was certainly missed last year."

Oaklawn's 2021 meet continues through May 1.