Oaklawn builds up ’17 stakes schedule

Long known for its 3-year-old stakes schedule, Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs has turned its attention to beefing up the opportunity to attract top older horses as well.

In its 2017 stakes schedule unveiled Thursday, Oaklawn has 31 stakes races totaling $8.25 million in purses. Several established events for older horses received healthy purse in- creases.

“We’ve become known for attracting the best 3-year-olds in the nation.” David Longinotti, Oaklawn’s director of racing, said in a statement. “Now we want to complement that by attracting the best older horses, too. And not just for the Oaklawn Handicap. We want our fans to be able to see them in February and maybe they’ll get to see them again in March and April.”

In an effort to offer a lucrative alternative to horses looking for a race in advance of the Dubai World Cup on March 25, Oaklawn increased the purse for the 1 1/16-mile Grade III Razorback Handicap for horses 4-years-old and up from $350,000 to $500,000. It also was moved from March to

Feb. 20, where it will share the card with the Grade III $500,000 Southwest Stakes, which also covers 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds.

The purse for the Essex Handicap (1 1/16 miles for 4-year-olds and up) was increased from $100,000 to $250,000. It was moved to March 18, where it will share the card with the Grade II $900,000 Rebel Stakes (1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds) and the Grade II $350,000 Azeri Stakes (1 1/16 miles for older fillies and mares).

In addition, purses for 10 other stakes races have been increased by at least $10,000 each. The Grade III Bayakoa for older fillies and mares on Feb. 18 had its purse increased from $100,000 to $150,000. Also, the Grade III Honeybee for 3-year-old fillies on March 11 went from $150,000 to $200,000.

Oaklawn’s live season again will close with the Racing Fes- tival of the South on April 1315. The Festival opens Thurs- day with the $150,000 Bachelor Stakes for 3-year-olds. It continues Friday with the Grade I $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares, and the Grade III $400,000 Fantasy Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

On Saturday, there will be the $150,000 Northern Spur Stakes for 3-year-olds, the Grade III $400,000 Count Fleet Handicap for 4-year-olds and up, the Grade II $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap for 4-yearolds and up, and the Grade I $1 million Arkansas Derby for 3-year-olds.

“Multi-stakes days have proven successful here over the past several years,” Longinotti said. “By combining our biggest races on select days, we heighten the racing excitement for our fans. It also makes it more convenient for horsemen shipping to Hot Springs from all over the country.”

Oaklawn’s live racing season opens Jan. 13.

Longinotti