Oaklawn stakes get hike after last season’s boom

July 25, 2024 at 2:03 a.m.

by Bob Wisener

Horses take off from the starting gate in the second race during Arkansas Derby Day at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe)
Horses take off from the starting gate in the second race during Arkansas Derby Day at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe)


The new Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort season will get more bells and whistles than ever with carryover momentum from a campaign that brought the local track national glory.

With "OP" listed on past performances of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners along with those of other Grade I races since early May, the Hot Springs oval is increasing favor with leading national horsemen.

Trainers Ken McPeek and Hall of Famer Wayne Lukas scored in the first two Triple Crown races with Oaklawn stakes winners. Mystik Dan took the Derby and Seize the Grey keyed a Preakness trifecta of local starters. Bob Baffert won both of Oaklawn's Grade I races, and fellow Hall of Fame member Steve Asmussen, despite another Derby loss, extended his own record with a 13th training championship.

Oaklawn

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