Oaklawn Park Racetrack, now known as Oakland Racing Casino Resort, is a thoroughbred horse racing facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. Currently owned by the Oakland Jockey Club, Oaklawn Park is one of the finest thoroughbred facilities in North America.
In 2017, the Horseplayers Association of North America placed Oaklawn as the fifth top racing facility on the continent. The racecourse has grown and prospered under the management of the Cella family, the force behind the Oakland Jockey Club.
Oaklawn Park is home to various graded races, while the most prominent ones are featured in the 4 days “Racing Festival of the South.”
Here is a brief account of the history and facilities of the Oaklawn Park Racetrack.
Oaklawn Park History
Horse racing was conducted for the first time in Oaklawn Park on 24th February 1904. During the early days, the track featured as many as six races a day. However, three years after it opened, the racecourse was shut down due to political turmoil in the region.
The original owners of the property had passed away by then, and Louis Cella purchased the track. In 1916, after a hiatus of 9 years, Oaklawn Park opened again under the patronage of the Hot Springs Business Men League.
In the following years, the track’s ownership was transferred to Cella’s brother upon his death, while the track would open and close sporadically due to the prevailing political uncertainty. In 1929, a legislative session in Arkansas allowed the organisation of horse racing and pari-mutuel betting in the state.
Meanwhile, the Oaklawn Park management increased purse size to improve the track’s popularity and make it on par with other horse racing facilities in the country.
Oaklawn Park organised the Arkansas Derby for the first time in 1936 with a purse of $5,000. The race meeting duration around that time had increased to 30 days. The track also remained open during the Second World War when most facilities had closed. The track’s popularity continued to grow in the subsequent years as it increased purse size and attracted bigger numbers of spectators and bettors.
Meanwhile, the track’s ownership passed down to different members within the Cella family. By 1972, the track’s signature race Arkansas Derby, had a purse size worth $100,000. In 1974, the Racing Festival of South was held for the first time, and the Arkansas Derby was the last race of the festival.
The early 1980s were a period of high growth for Oaklawn Park. Millions were exchanged in wagering. The 56-day season of 1983 accounted for more than $168 million, and attendance in these events had also increased to millions.
However, around 1985, things began to change. Betting percentage and attendance declined due to increasing competition. The management decided to introduce racing on Sundays to bring back people to the races and increase the size of the grandstand. By 1990, Oaklawn Park was back to its initial form.
Oaklawn Park celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004 and, to commemorate the event, offered a $ 5 million prize to the horse who would win the graded stakes for three-year-olds. Smarty Jones was the winner.
Today, Oaklawn Park is recognised as one of the pioneers of horse racing in the state and the emblem of growth and prosperity under the watchful eye of its long-term owners.
Oaklawn Park Facilities
Oaklawn Park comprises a 1-mile oval dirt track. A backstretch chute on the track allows for 0.75mile sprint races. The racecourse has two finish lines to accommodate for the short distance between the first turn and the finish line.
The facility features a grandstand and a five-level glass enclosure which comprises a private club, dining room, kitchen, 2,500 reserved seats, and a 400-person box.
Over the years, Oaklawn Park has undergone various renovations and modifications. One of the biggest additions was $3 million worth of a racing complex, slot machines, and poker tables to make Oaklawn Park the biggest gambling facility in the state.
Additionally, Oaklawn Park also features life-sized sculptors of Victor Espinoza, a popular jockey, and American Pharaoh at the entrance of the grandstand.
What is the Arkansas Derby?
The Arkansas Derby is a thoroughbred horse race reserved for three-year-olds and is held annually at Oaklawn Park. The race runs over a distance of 1.125 miles and had prize money of $1,250,000 in 2022.
Who won the challenge for the graded stakes on Oaklawn Park’s 100th anniversary?
Oaklawn Park celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004 and, to commemorate the event, offered a $ 5 million prize to the horse who would win the graded stakes for three-year-olds. These included the Kentucky Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Rebel Stakes. Smarty Jones was the winner.
What are some of the most notable races held in Oaklawn Park?
In addition to Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Parks is also home to Apple Blossom Stakes, Rebel Stakes, Fantasy Stakes, and the Oakland Stakes, among others.
Where can I find Oaklawn Park tips?
For Oaklawn Park tips, there are several reliable resources that provide betting tips, analysis, and race entries. At horses.bettingnews.com, you can find detailed information about Oaklawn Park’s racing season, history, track configuration and bias, and notable races. This site offers insights into the nuances of the track and the types of horses that tend to perform well there, which is invaluable for handicapping.
Racingdudes.com is another excellent source for Oaklawn Park racing tips. The site features picks from experienced handicappers with proven track records in horse racing betting. You can find daily picks, analysis, and suggestions for exacta, trifecta, and multi-race wagers. The site also provides statistics on recent wins, losses, and return on investment for their handicappers, which can help you choose the most reliable tips.
Guaranteedtipsheet.com offers free Oaklawn Park race tips. This resource provides a history of past picks and their outcomes, allowing you to understand the track’s trends and which types of bets have been successful. It’s a great way to gauge the success rate of different betting strategies at Oaklawn Park.
OLBG.com provides a platform where you can access Oaklawn Park racing tips from a community of racing tipsters. The site highlights runners with the most predictions and shows current odds, the number of tips supporting the runner, and a value rating calculated using the current odds and percentage of tips for the horse. This collaborative approach can give you a broader perspective on which horses are favoured by the betting community.
Lastly, Racenet.com.au offers racecourse tips for Oaklawn Park, including selections and analysis for each race. They provide detailed breakdowns of each race, highlighting key contenders and offering insights into the race dynamics. This site is particularly useful for detailed race analysis and for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different runners.
These resources offer a comprehensive look at Oaklawn Park Racetrack and provide valuable insights and tips to guide your betting decisions.
