Arkansas Derby Diaries: A New Home Away From Home

One of my absolute favorite things in the entire universe is visiting a new racetrack for the first time. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., but this weekend will be the first time I’ve ever had the pleasure of darkening its doorway. 
My alarm went off bright and early at 5 a.m. today, and I was showered, dressed, and out the door about a half-hour later to make my flights from LaGuardia to Little Rock. 
As a new visitor to the Razorback State, I was very excited for the chance to drive through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the two-hour trip from the state capital to Hot Springs, the home of Oaklawn Park. The drive was absolutely stunning: the bright green of spring was everywhere, and while I couldn’t take a photo with my good cameras (I assume that the state troopers of Arkansas would frown on such a thing while driving) I did manage to snap this with my phone: 

I had my windows down and the music cranked up the entire way, and when I arrived in Hot Springs I was greeted by signs on nearly every billboard that welcomed racing fans to this Southern mecca of fun and gaming.

I had plans to go to my hotel, dump my stuff, and then check out the town. I really, really did. But then I spotted Oaklawn Park; you see, it’s literally right in the middle of Hot Springs on the main drag, Central Avenue, and once I saw it I couldn’t seem to stop myself from heading in. 

!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/6oPc90CM6r
— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) April 14, 2016

When I did, it was like stepping into wonderland. As soon as I positioned my car in a spot, a complimentary golf cart appeared and whisked me from the parking lot to the main entrance of the track, where I was greeted by a racehorse sculpture with the silks of last year’s Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. He won both the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn park last year on his way to capturing horse racing’s holy trinity, and the statue is repainted each year to honor the new Arkansas Derby winner. 

Once inside, the first thing I saw was the paddock where horses converge before the races to have their saddles put on and parade in front of fans. This is right in the building near the entrance, and fans have an elevated view of the action stationed about a floor above the Thoroughbreds and their caretakers. I saw a lot of people getting close looks at their soon-to-be-bet horses as well as catching sight of the jockeys and even Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas! That’s him in the impeccable black cowboy hat.

I also spotted some absolutely beautiful commemorative photos of American Pharoah being sold by the track photographers, Coady Photography. If you’re a Pharoah fan and are planning on coming to Oaklawn this weekend, be sure to check them out!

At that point, it was about 3 p.m. and I was hungry, having only consumed a bag of airline pretzels and five coffees since I’d woken up. Therefore, I made the adult and healthy decision to immediately eat soft serve ice cream. I opted for the strawberry-vanilla swirl, and I have no regrets. It was massive, refreshing, and ever so indulgent. I’m going back tomorrow for more, because the best part about being a grownup is that no one except rather judgmental doctors can stop you from consuming mountains of soft serve on consecutive afternoons.

@oaklawnracing has a strong soft serve game!
A photo posted by Penelope P. Miller (@penelopepmiller) on Apr 14, 2016 at 1:04pm PDT

I also couldn’t stop myself from checking out the track’s gift shop. Frequent readers of this blog will know that I can’t resist a horse racing hat, so when I spied this year’s commemorative Arkansas Derby cap, I had to make it mine. I was powerless against it.

Had to get a new lid to celebrate my first visit to @OaklawnRacing! pic.twitter.com/G8oZeDWkH3
— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) April 14, 2016
No regrets. It’s my new favorite. (Frequent readers of this blog will also be noting right now that I say that about every new hat I buy. Someone send help. I need a racetrack ball cap intervention.)
After my absolutely delicious meal and new wardrobe acquisition, I decided to wander outside and catch a race or two. There was a robust and happy crowd at the track, sipping beers and frozen margaritas and playing the ponies on a breezy and sunny April afternoon.

That’s when I decided that it’s heaven here at Oaklawn Park. It’s so much fun. I have only one regret today, and it’s that it has taken me this long to make my first trip to Hot Springs and Oaklawn Park. I have plans to see the town tonight and Friday morning before the races kick off, and I can’t wait to share that with you in my next diary. Until then, let me leave you with one piece of advice: start planning your trip to Oaklawn now. You’ll find your brand-new home away from home waiting for you in Hot Springs!