Arkansas Derby Moved to April 2, Purse Hiked to $1.25M

Oaklawn Park is shaking things up.

The Arkansas oval announced a purse hike to $1.25 million for the Arkansas Derby (G1)—a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)—and shifted the 3-year-old classic on the schedule to April 2 when unveiling its stakes schedule for late 2021 and into 2022.

The date shift is a departure from the race's traditional spot three weeks before the Kentucky Derby, while the increased purse makes it the richest event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Oaklawn will run a record 36 stakes in 2022 worth purses of $12.3 million. In addition to the Arkansas Derby, three stakes will carry million dollar purses and 15 other stakes will offer purses ranging from $200,000 up to $750,000. Every stakes race will have at least a $150,000 purse.

With a previously announced historic shift in the track's racing calendar, which now begins in December, Oaklawn will stage its first 2-year-old stakes since 1973—the Advent Stakes—on Dec. 3, opening day of the 2021-22 meet.

"When we launched our $100 million expansion program two years ago, we said our goal was to take Oaklawn to a new level of excellence," Oaklawn president Louis Cella said. "When you look at next season's stakes schedule, that includes five new stakes, you can see that is exactly what we are doing."

The new positioning of the Arkansas Derby on the racing calendar will have a ripple effect on Oaklawn's other major 3-year old races. The $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) will be run Feb. 26, while the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) will be run Jan. 29. The Smarty Jones Stakes will kick off the series on New Year's Day with a purse that has been increased by $100,000 to $250,000.

"Historically, Oaklawn's 3-year-old series has offered the most Kentucky Derby qualifying points of any track in the country," Cella said. "With the extra timing between races and added purse money, we believe Oaklawn will only grow as 'the' place to prepare for the Triple Crown races."

"Oaklawn has such a wonderful racing history going back 117 years," Oaklawn general manager Wayne Smith said. "When racing begins Dec. 3, fans will get to experience our new hotel overlooking the racetrack, a world class spa, new event center, and endless casino action. There has never been a more exciting time at Oaklawn."

Older horses and older fillies and mares will also benefit from rich series leading up to the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), respectively, both run April 23. Prior to the Oaklawn Handicap, older horses can target the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes Jan. 15, $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) Feb. 12, and $500,000 Essex Handicap March 19. The opportunities for older fillies and mares prior to the Apple Blossom include the $150,000 Pippin Stakes Jan. 8, $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Feb. 5, and $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 12.

The Arkansas-bred program continues to be one of the richest state-bred programs in the country and will now feature six stakes races after the addition of the $150,000 Natural State Breeders' Stakes for 3-year-olds and up fillies and mares going one mile May 6. The highlight of the series is the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles May 7.

The 2021-22 Oaklawn live meet runs Dec. 3—May 8. There is no racing Dec. 24-26 during the Christmas holiday, and the track is also dark April 17 for Easter.

Oaklawn Park 2021-22 Stakes Schedule