Oaklawn Focused On 2010
Oaklawn Racecourse has enjoyed a very successful racing season for 2009, and with their attention focused on the 2010 horse racing season, track authorities have looked towards a new approach for their coming season. Instead of increasing their number of races, they have decided to retain their racing schedule, but to increase the purse amounts of many of their racing events. This will no doubt make their season more attractive to horsemen, and with thirty stakes races being offered by the Oaklawn Racecourse, there will be thrilling horse racing action featured next year.
Stall applications for Oaklawn must reach the racecourse by the 29th of October 2009, as the track will be opening their facilities on the 16th of November 2009. Their season opening will be kicking off in high hear, with a four day racing weekend on the 18th of January 2010. Assistant general manager of Oaklawn, David Longinotti, commented on their successful racing season and added: “We opened the first phase of our expanding gaming facility in May and are on schedule to complete the second phase before Opening Day of the 2010 Live Season.”
One of the most prestigious horse racing events at Oaklawn, is the $1 million Arkansas Derby. This event is held during the Racing Festival of the South and is seen as a very important preparation race for the Triple Crown. Champions that have participated in this event include Summer Bird, Curlin, Smarty Jones and Lawyer Ron. One of the racing events that have received an increase in their purse money is the Martha Washington stakes that received a $25 000 increase to now have a purse of $75 000. Other events and their new purse amounts include the Fantasy Stakes ($300 000), the Honeybee Stakes ($125 000), Carousel Stakes ($60 000), Spring Fever ($60 000), Pippin Stakes ($75 000), Prima Donna ($60 000), Smarty Jones Stakes ($100 000) and the Mountain Valley Stakes ($60 000). Over night events will now carry a minimum purse of $15 000 and maiden allowance races, $36 000. With the increase in purses for ten stakes races, over night purses and maiden allowance races, Oakland will be offering a total of approximately $4.8 million in purses. With increased purses and exciting racing events to look forward to, Oakland is gearing up for a spectacular 2010 racing season.
