Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas will add December race dates to its schedule and offer a 66-day season, from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, May 8, 2022, officials announced recently. The proposed new racing schedule still must be approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
Oaklawn President Louis A. Cella said, “For many years, horsemen have wanted to race here in December to fill a gap in their racing schedule. We have completed our resort expansion, including the opening of our luxury hotel, spa and event center. Therefore, the timing is right for another expansion, to our live racing season. We are looking forward to the new format. The additional days will provide a huge economic impact for horsemen, Arkansas Thoroughbred breeders and tourism in Central Arkansas.”
The 66-day season primarily will be conducted Friday through Sunday. However, No races will be held December 24 through December 26, nor on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Racing will continue to be offered on Presidents Day on Monday, February 21, 2022.
Cella noted, “We will offer 2¬year-old racing in December and we anticipate additional exciting changes in our racing program, including an aggressive 2021-2022 stakes schedule. Our stakes program will continue to be designed to attract the nation’s best horses and best horsemen to Hot Springs.”
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said, “I’ve been an advocate for this for years. I think it’s a great addition and will keep our stables competitive. It’s also going to be a popular time. People are already in a festive mood around the holidays and the weather in December is usually pretty good. I think there is going to be a strong fan base. I’m 100 percent for it.”
Purses for the season are projected to be $45 million to $50 million, “the highest in America at that time of year, with all allowance races starting at $100,000. To be able to offer 6-figure allowance races for five consecutive months is a very strong statement. Between the purses and all of our new amenities, we should be part of every horseman’s annual calendar,” said Oaklawn Racing Secretary Pat Pope.
Trainer Ron Moquett added, “Oaklawn’s new dates allow us horsemen to participate in the most lucrative purse circuit in America without any interruptions. It’s now a smooth transition between Oaklawn, Churchill and Saratoga.”
In a statement, Oaklawn officials said, “The expansion of Oaklawn’s casino and its addition of a world-class hotel this year already provided Hot Springs with an exciting new feature in its attractions menu. The additional live racing dates will further cement Oaklawn’s status as a premier economic engine for our city. We all look forward to this great new reason for everyone to visit Hot Springs.”
