News from Arkansas:	Arkansas Racing Commission
Oaklawn remains strong - Feb. 17, 2012 - Owner Edward J. DeBartolo opened Oklahoma City's Remington Park in 1988 and promptly declared that Arkansas' Oaklawn Park had "outlived its usefulness." DeBartolo, owner of the state's first deluxe facility after pari-mutuel horse racing was legalized in Oklahoma, said Oaklawn should be "razed and leveled." Instead, Oaklawn has survived horse racing's downturn and flourished as tracks in neighboring states have struggled.
Oaklawn to Increase Purses - HOT SPRINGS, AR - Feb. 9, 2012 – Mother Nature has blessed Oaklawn with much better weather this season and as a result, the track is raising overnight purses $5,000 per day beginning with Thursday’s 9-race card. Oaklawn was due some good fortune in the weather department after losing a record eight days to cold, snow and ice in 2011.
Four-Day Opening Weekend Kicks Off Oaklawn's 2012 Season - 56-Day Live Meet Begins Friday, Jan. 13 - Hot Springs, AR - Dec. 30, 2011 - In Arkansas, there are five seasons – Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and the Oaklawn live meet, which is set to start Friday, Jan. 13 with the aptly named $75,000 Fifth Season Stakes. Other highlights of the four-day opening weekend are the traditional 50-cent Corn Beef Sandwiches Saturday, Jan. 15 and Oaklawn Ball Caps will be given away with each paid admission while supplies last Monday, Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Oaklawn Releases First Condition Book With Increased Purses - HOT SPRINGS, AR - Sept. 5, 2011 - – For the fourth consecutive year, Oaklawn Park’s newly released first condition book will reflect an increase in purses from the start of the previous meet. For the first time in track history, maiden allowance races will start out carrying a minimum purse of $40,000 and the minimum claiming race purse will be $15,300. Last year, maiden allowance races started at $36,000 and the minimum purse was $15,200.
Oaklawn Park's 2012 Schedule sees purse boosts - August 19, 2011 - A $200,000 bump to the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and a condensed four-day, nine stakes Racing Festival of the South highlight Oaklawn Park’s 2012 live racing season, which kicks off Jan. 13.
The Voice of Oaklawn Retires - HOT SPRINGS, AR (Thursday, June 16, 2011) – Terry Wallace, who completed his 37th consecutive season as track announcer at Oaklawn Park in 2011, will retire from the announcer’s booth in advance of the 2012 meet.
Archarcharch to stand at Spendthrift - May 20, 2011 - Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Archarcharch will enter stud in 2012 at B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm.
70-year-old trainer will saddle his first Kentucky Derby Starter - April 29, 2011 - One of Arkansas’ favorite horsemen and a long-time fixture on the Churchill Downs racing scene, Jinks Fires is on the verge of reaching a personal milestone that has eluded him for nearly 50 years. The 70-year-old trainer will finally saddle his first Kentucky Derby starter in Archarcharch.
Gorder Rapidly Gains Attention in First Oaklawn Season - Hot Springs, AR - Feb. 28, 2011 - It is hard to imagine people connected with the huge success of WinStar Farm over the last half-decade could still be underexposed, but a key component of the organization that won two of last year's Triple Crown races, trainer Kellyn Gorder, has sneaked up on fans at Oaklawn Park this season with his eyes on bigger prizes to come.
OAKLAWN PARK INCREASES PURSE FOR RAZORBACK - HOT SPRINGS, AR - Feb. 28, 2011 – Oaklawn Park announced Sunday a purse increase of $25,000 for the March 12 Razorback Handicap. The 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and older will now carry a purse of $125,000.
Stephanie Got Even Sold, Capping Fun Ride for Martin Brothers - Hot Springs, AR – Feb. 26, 2011 - Stephanie Got Even, the winner of the American Beauty Stakes and runner-up in the Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park this season, has been sold by Martin Brothers, the owner/trainer team of Joe and Tim Martin.
Southwest Stakes - Top Finishers Exit Well; Rebel Next - Hot Springs, AR - Feb. 23, 2011 - Two days after a wild and rough running of the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, the top four finishers are doing well and their connections are making tentative plans for their 3-year-olds to join the next dance in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) on March 19.
Havre de Grace Quickly Gets Back to Work - Hot Springs, AR - Feb. 19, 2011 - After going on a "sightseeing trip" when sent for a workout Tuesday morning, Fox Hill Farms' top 4-year-old filly Havre de Grace was pushed through a more vigorous workout Friday at Oaklawn as she continues her winter preparations for the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) on April 15.
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