Oaklawn increases all overnight purses

Oaklawn Park announced Wednesday the track is increasing all overnight purses, some by as much as $6,000, starting with today’s card.

Maiden special weights and open allowances are being bumped by $6,000 and are now $83,000 and $87,000, respectively. Purses for all claiming races with a claiming price of $16,000 or greater, maiden claiming races with a claiming price of $20,000 or greater, and starter allowances are being increased by $3,000. All other races are being increased by $2,000.

“We’re off to a fantastic start because the fans have responded to great weather and great racing,” said Oaklawn President Louis Cella. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the response we’ve gotten in support of our new race dates. We opened later and had one of the best opening weekends in 10 years.

“We are mindful of the fact that bigger purses bring in the best horses and human athletes, which in turns brings out the fans. Our goal is to have the richest and most competitive racing product in the country between January and early May.”

The purse increase comes at the start of the only five-day race week of the season. The Presidents’ Day card on Monday features the Grade 3 $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes for older fillies and mares, the Grade 3 $500,000 Razorback Handicap for older horses and the Grade 3 $500,000 Southwest Stakes, the second of four races in Oaklawn’s series for 3-year-olds culminating with the Grade 1 $1 million Arkansas Derby.

“I think from a horsemen’s perspective this shows that the late start has been successful and was a wise decision,” said Bill Walmsley, president of the Arkansas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. “The horsemen are already reaping the benefits in the form of this purse increase so quickly in the season. It is both unexpected and appreciated.”

“It’s fantastic,” said Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, who is spending his first winter in Hot Springs. “I’ve been praising the Cella family and their organization. They have a great organization and great people who work for them.

“And now I think the horsemen are rallying around them. It’s a testament to how well you can work together in this business. It’s a wonderful thing.”