Oaklawn Park
Encyclopedia
| Horse Racetrack | |
|---|---|
| Oaklawn Park | |
| Location | Hot Springs, Arkansas Hot Springs, Arkansas Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County... United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
| Owner | Oaklawn Jockey Club, Inc. |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Principal Races | |
| Apple Blossom Handicap Apple Blossom Handicap The Apple Blossom Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run each year in early April during the Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Grade I race is open to Fillies and Mares, four years old and up... (G I) |
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| Arkansas Derby Arkansas Derby The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt.... (G I) |
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| Oaklawn Handicap Oaklawn Handicap The Oaklawn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of April at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas.... (G II) |
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| Fantasy Stakes Fantasy Stakes The Fantasy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A Grade II event, it is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.-Records:Speed record:... (G II) |
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| Rebel Stakes Rebel Stakes The Rebel Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in March at Oaklawn Park racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Open to three-year-old horses, it is raced on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles... (G II) |
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| Southwest Stakes Southwest Stakes The Southwest Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas in mid February during the President's Day weekend. The race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race one mile on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000... (G III) |
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Oaklawn Park is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred racetrack
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
in Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.
In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racetracks in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked #9.
History and information
Oaklawn Park officially opened on February 24, 1905. More than 3,000 people attended as a holiday had been declared in Hot Springs. During these early years the track only ran six races a day, similar to British cards. Political problems in the state forced the closure of Oaklawn in 1907. During this time of closure, the track was sold to Louis Cella as the original business partners had both died. The track reopened in 1916 under the auspices of Business Men's League of Hot Springs.In 1918, Louis Cella died and the ownership of the track was transferred to his brother, Charles. Following this transfer the track ran off and on due to the Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
political climate. In 1934, the track began a modern meeting with a larger card and attracted many horse racing fans to the "Spa." The track increased purses in 1935 to become competitive with the best tracks across the country.
The first Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
was run in 1936 for a purse of $5,000. By this time the track ran a thirty-day race meeting. On October 29, 1940, Charles G. Cella died and the presidency of Oaklawn transferred to his son, John G. Cella (1909-1968). In 1941 purses again hit a record for the largest purses in Oaklawn history. By 1943, the Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
had a purse of $10,000. Unlike most American tracks Oaklawn stayed open in 1944 but World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
caught up with Oaklawn Park and the track was closed in 1945. Following the defeat of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
a 30-day late autumn and winter season was held at Oaklawn.
After the end of the war the track hit unprecedented levels of prosperity. This financed a major clubhouse renovation and a resurfacing of the track. Throughout the 1950's the track continued to climb in handle, attendance and purses. In 1961, the track extended the season to 43 days. In 1962 the track had such a good year that it reached the five spot on the most profitable and successful tracks in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
By 1965, the Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
was a $50,000 stakes and one that could attract top Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
prospects. J. Sweeney Grant led Oaklawn as the manager throughout this period,. He continued to expand and enhance racing at Oaklawn Park. In 1968, Charles J. Cella
Charles J. Cella
Charles J. Cella is president of Southern Real Estate and Financial Company, an executive in the American Thoroughbred horse racing industry, and a racehorse owner....
, the current President of Oaklawn Park, succeeded his father into that position following John G. Cella's unexpected death.
In 1971, J. Sweeney Grant, under whom Oaklawn had enjoyed 16 years of remarkable growth, died. W. T. Bishop replaced him and the track continued to thrive. The Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
became a $100,000 stakes in 1972 and the following the year the Fantasy Stakes
Fantasy Stakes
The Fantasy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A Grade II event, it is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.-Records:Speed record:...
, a prep race to the Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
, was first run. The Racing Festival of the South was created in 1974. The festival is a week with one stakes race everyday leading up to the Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
.
In 1975 a major renovation was completed which included a five-level, glass-enclosed addition to the north end of the grandstand, near the top of the stretch. The addition included a general admission area, an extra 400 box seats and 2,500 reserved seats, a kitchen, a dining room and a private club.
In 1983, the all time record handle was established. The track reached a goal of averaging $3 million in wagering every day. For the 56-day season, the handle amounted to $168,740,923, for an average of $3,013,230 a day. The attendance for the season was 1,303,223, representing an average of 23,272. The same year the purse for the Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
was increased to $250,000. In 1984, the purse was again lifted to $500,000.
By 1985, three decades of prosperity began to reverse. Betting declined 8.1% and attendance 3.7% as compared to 1984. Increased competition from neighboring states, a lack of Sunday racing and a lack of dates are blamed for this decline. The same year the grandstand is enlarged for the fourth time in ten years.
By 1990, the track was forced to race on Sundays. The intense competition from OTB's and racetracks in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
were causes of the further decline. The track begins to recover due to the Sunday racing and more renovation at the track. In the past fifteen years Oaklawn Park has continued to do well in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
although the track faces competition from casinos in neighboring states and wintertime racing in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In 2009, Attendance is up over 5 percent from the previous year.
Physical attributes
The track consists of a one mile dirt oval. There is no turf course at Oaklawn Park. The track buildings have undergone many renovations and are considered to be very nice. The track also has stabling for a large number of horses in state-of-the-art barns.In 2008, Oaklawn began undergoing a new $3 million dollar addition, that includes new casino-style slot machines, poker tables, and an all new instant racing complex that has been popular since its inception in 2003. The addition will become the largest gaming facility in the state of Arkansas.
TV Personalites
- Terry Wallace (1975-present)
- Gary Weir (1985-present)
- Nancy Ury (2005)
Racing
Stakes races run at Oaklawn Park during the Racing Festival of the South and the Oaklawn Park meet include:Grade I
- Apple Blossom HandicapApple Blossom HandicapThe Apple Blossom Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run each year in early April during the Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Grade I race is open to Fillies and Mares, four years old and up...
- Arkansas DerbyArkansas DerbyThe Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
Grade II
- Fantasy StakesFantasy StakesThe Fantasy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A Grade II event, it is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.-Records:Speed record:...
- Oaklawn HandicapOaklawn HandicapThe Oaklawn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of April at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas....
- Rebel StakesRebel StakesThe Rebel Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in March at Oaklawn Park racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Open to three-year-old horses, it is raced on dirt over a distance of 11/16 miles...
Grade III
- Azeri Stakes
- Count Fleet Sprint HandicapCount Fleet Sprint HandicapThe Count Fleet Sprint Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid April at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A sprint race open to horses age four and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of six furlongs...
- Fifth Season Stakes
- Honeybee StakesHoneybee StakesThe Honeybee Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies held annually at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade III race run over a distance of 8.5 furlongs on dirt....
- Razorback HandicapRazorback HandicapThe Razorback Handicap is a race for Thoroughbred horses run at Oaklawn Park each year. The race is open to four-year-olds and up willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt...
- Southwest StakesSouthwest StakesThe Southwest Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas in mid February during the President's Day weekend. The race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race one mile on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
Non-graded stakes:
- Essex HandicapEssex HandicapThe Essex Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the first week of February at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas...
- Mountain Valley Stakes
- Smarty Jones StakesSmarty Jones StakesThe Smarty Jones Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid January at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Smarty Jones is for three-year-olds and is contested on dirt at a distance of one mile ....
The track also runs numerous overnight handicaps and minor stakes during the Winter and Spring Meets.
External links
34.484999°N 93.057096°W