Oaklawn Park racetrack increasing purses for 2017 racing season

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.— Oaklawn Park is increasing the purses for its handicap division races next year.

The racetrack announced Thursday that it will move the Razorback Handicap from March to Presidents’ Day, where it will share the card with the $500,000 Southwest Stakes. The purse for the Razorback Handicap will increase from $350,000 to $500,000.

The Essex Handicap purse will also increase from $100,000 to $250,000 and it will share the card with the $900,000 Rebel Stakes and the $350,000 Azeri Stakes on March 18.

Oaklawn racing director David Longinotti says the track is known for attracting the best 3-year-old horses in the country, and he hopes that increasing the purses in the handicap division will bring in the best older horses, too.

Oaklawn will offer 31 stakes worth $8.25 million next year.