Oaklawn Park Racetrack

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Address: 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901

Phone: 800-625-5296

Website: https://www.oaklawn.com/racing/

A MAP OF OAKLAWN PARK RACETRACK NEAR ME

Oaklawn Park Racetrack Facts

Main track (dirt): 1 mile, oval

Length of stretch from last turn to finish line: 1,155 feet

Width of stretch: 70 feet

Width of turns: 80 feet

Composition: 2" sandy loam cushion, 3" sandy loam cushion compacted, 10" sand / silt, 30" clay and natural soil

Oaklawn Racing & Gaming opened on February 24th, 1905. It is currently owned by the Oaklawn Jockey Club. The venue hosts a variety of Thoroughbred racing events and is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is universally considered one of the best tracks in the country.

A MAP OF OAKLAWN PARK RACETRACK NEAR ME

Oaklawn Racing & Gaming opened on February 24th, 1905. It is currently owned by the Oaklawn Jockey Club. The venue hosts a variety of Thoroughbred racing events and is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is universally considered one of the best tracks in the country.

Upcoming Racing Dates

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Race Type

The 2024-2025 season at Oaklawn Park will run from Friday, December 6th through Saturday, May 3rd. Typical race days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Though formally branded as Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, the facility is most often referred to as Oaklawn Park.


Oaklawn Major Race Event Dates for 2024-2025

Currently, Oaklawn Park hosts two Grade I races. The Arkansas Derby is limited to three-year-old colts and serves as one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby. Oaklawn Park also hosts the Apple Blossom Handicap, a contest limited to fillies and mares ages four and up with implications for the Kentucky Oaks.

DATE
RACE
PURSE / RESTRICTIONS
DISTANCE
Friday, December 6, 2024
Advent
$150,000 / 2YOs
5 1/2 Furlongs
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Ring the Bell
$150,000 / 3YOs & Up
6 Furlongs
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Mistletoe
$150,000 / 3YOs & Up, F&M
1 Mile
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Poinsettia
$150,000 / 3YOs & Up, F&M
5 1/2 Furlongs
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Tinsel
$175,000 / 3YOs & Up
1 1/8-Miles
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Year's End
$175,000 / 2YOs, Fillies
1 Mile
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Smarty Jones
$250,000 / 3YOs
1 1/16-Miles
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Mockingbird
$150,000 / 3YOs, Fillies
6 Furlongs
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Pippin
$150,000 / 4YOs & Up, F&M
1 1/16-Miles
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Renaissance
$150,000 / 3YOs
6 Furlongs

OAKLAWN PARK RACING & GAMING HISTORY

Since first opening its doors in 1905, Oaklawn has gone through a variety of upgrades and changes. Like most tracks in the country, it has endured with the economic times suffering during times like World War II and The Great Depression, while thriving under normal circumstances.

Oaklawn Park has recently been credited as one of the top-10 racing tracks in the United States. Notable horses who have run over the course include Cigar, Paseana, Zenyatta, Smarty Jones, and Afleet Alex.

The clubhouse at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming was designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, who is the same architect responsible for both Old Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field. The casino was added in 2008 thanks to a $3M addition and was instantly the largest facility of its kind in Arkansas. Unlike most facilities, Oaklawn Racing & Gaming does not have a turf track.

Oaklawn celebrated it’s 100th anniversary by offering a $5 million bonus to any horse that could sweep the Rebel, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones managed to accomplish this feat, and has since had the Smarty Jones Stakes named in his honour since 2008.

On February 24, 1905, Oaklawn presented its first racing card before a crowd of 3,000 that turned out after Hot Springs Mayor John Belding declared a half-day holiday for the city. The first race at the new track was won by Duelist, owned by John W. Schorr, a prominent Memphis sportsman, and since that time, Oaklawn has evolved into one of the premier race meets in the country. Best known as the home of the Racing Festival of the South and Arkansas Derby, the track has played host to some of the biggest names in the sport including champions Temperence Hill, Cigar, Curlin, Paseana, Azeri, Tiffany Lass, Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Rachel Alexandra, Lookin At Lucky, Blind Luck and Zenyatta

Between 1907 and 1916, Oaklawn Park faced some hardships as races were commonly cancelled because of the political problems in the state. The owners and bettors of Oaklawn would come to understand that political problems would continue to affect the track for the next 20 years.

By 1941, the total purse skyrocketed to $156,820 and was distributed in purses during the 30-day season, Feb. 24-March 29. Purse distribution continued to soar and in 1946 the track recorded a high of $283,180.

From 1951-75, many additions were made to Oaklawn's already impressive track record. A new parking lot was built to hold 800 vehicles and steam heat was installed in all of the private boxes in the paddock to better suit the track's elite clientele. Less than three years later an amazing dining room was added to the clubhouse and the main track was re-cushioned to allow for a more stable and breathable foundation.

In 1985, Oaklawn experienced its first year of reverse statistics. Wagering dropped by 8.1% and attendance dipped below 3.7% in comparison to 1984. Oaklawn Park Racetrack has seen its share of amazing and heart-stopping races. With the addition of "Instant Racing" - a pari-mutuel electronic system that allows players to wager on previously run races - Oaklawn Park ventured into the electronic gaming world and its offering was well received by visitors from around the world.


The Arkansas Derby

A Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race, review results from the most recent running as well as past running of the stakes races. The Arkansas Derby is a 1 1/8th mile race hosted by Oaklawn Race Track. 

Below you will find the most recent race results as well as historical results!

POST
HORSE
JOCKEY / TRAINER
WIN / PLACE / SHOW
7
Muth
Juan J. Hernandez / Bob Baffert
$6.60 / $5.00 / $3.80
8
Just Steel
Keith J. Asmussen / D. Wayne Lukas
$16.20 / $6.20
9
Mystik Dan
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. / Kenneth G. McPeek
$3.20
2
Timberlake
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
6
Informed Patriot
Ricardo Santana, Jr. / Steven M. Asmussen
4
Time for Truth
Rafael Bejarano / Ron Moquett
10
Imperial Gun
Emmanuel Esquivel / Steven M. Asmussen
5
Liberal Arts
Tyler Gaffalione / Robert Medina
1
Will Take It
Francisco Arrieta / Eddie Milligan, Jr.
3
Dimatic
Cristian A. Torres / Steven M. Asmussen
Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance (Miles) / Time
2025
Sandman
Jose Ortiz, Mark Casse
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.08
2024
Muth
Juan J. Hernandez / Bob Baffert
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.54
2023
Angel of Empire
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.68
2022
Cyberknife
Florent Geroux / Brad H. Cox
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.42
2021
Super Stock
Ricardo Santana, Jr. / Steven M. Asmussen
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:50.92
2020 (Div. 2)
Nadal
Joel Rosario / Bob Baffert
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.34
2020 (Div. 1)
Basin
Ricardo Santana Jr. / Steve Asmussen
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.49
2019
Omaha Beach
Mike E. Smith / Richard E. Mandella
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.91
2018
Magnum Moon
Luis Saez / Todd Pletcher
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:49.86
2017
Classic Empire
Julien Leparoux / Mark E. Casse
​1 1⁄8 M / 1:48.93

The Smarty Jones Stakes

A Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race, review results from the most recent running as well as past running of the stakes races. During an electric season in 2004, Smarty Jones won the Count Fleet, Southwest, Rebel and Arkansas Derby on a warpath that eventually saw him secure the Kentucky Derby as a 3/1 favorite, and then the Preakness Stakes. 

Below you will find the most recent race results as well as historical results!

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
8
Coal Battle
Juan P. Vargas / Lonnie Briley
$11.00 / $4.20 / $2.60
5
Mo Quality
Junior Alvarado / Christopher Davis
$4.00 / $2.60
1
Kale's Angel
Ramon A. Vazquez / Peter Miller
$2.20
4
Bon Temps
Martin Garcia / D. Wayne Lukas
6
Hot Property
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
2
Hot Gunner
Harry Hernandez / Scott E. Young
Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance / Time
2025
Coal Battle
Juan P. Vargas / Lonnie Briley
1 1/16 M / 1:46.43
2024
Catching Freedom
Cristian A. Torres / Brad H. Cox
1 1/16 M / 1:44.59
2023
Victory Formation
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
1 M / 1:38.14
2022
Dash Attack
David Cohen / Kenneth G. McPeek
1 M / 1:39.44
2021
Caddo River
Florent Geroux / Brad H. Cox
1 M / 1:38.19
2020
Gold Street
Martin Garcia / Steven M. Asmussen
1 M / 1:39.63
2019
Gray Attempt
Shaun Bridgmohan / William H. Fires
1 M / 1:36.94
2018
Mourinho
Drayden Van Dyke / Bob Baffert
1 M / 1:37.25
2017
Uncontested
Channing Hill / Wayne M. Catalano
1 M / 1:36.32
2016
Discreetness
Jon Court / William H. Fires
1 M / 1:38.05

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