Live racing returns to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with the opening of Oaklawn
Highlighting opening weekend will be the traditional 50-cent corned beef
New in 2013, Oaklawn is planning to open its infield, complete with a Beer
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Oaklawn’s three-year-old stakes program is one of the most successful in the
nation when it comes to producing Triple Crown hopefuls. That program should get
even more competitive and exciting in 2013 with 289 points available based on
the new qualifying method for the Kentucky Derby and purse increases for the
Smarty Jones, Grade 3 Southwest and Grade 2 Rebel. The $150,000 Smarty Jones and
$300,000 Southwest anchor the two holiday Mondays in January and February,
respectively, while the $600,000 Rebel will be the marquee event of March. The
racing action culminates April 13 with the 77th running of the Grade 1, $1
million Arkansas Derby.
The opening day feature is the $75,000
Fifth
Season, a 1 1/16-mile stepping stone toward the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap.
The potential favorite in the Fifth Season is multiple Grade 3 winner
Endorsement, winner of last year’s Grade 3 Texas Mile and a close third in the
Grade 3 Pimlico Special. The Eoin Harty-trained six-year-old was last seen
running sixth in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has entered two in the Fifth Season
including Skyring, who made his mark on grass last season winning the James W.
Murphy at Pimlico and narrowly losing three times at the Grade 3 level.
Others of note in the Fifth Season lineup are Oaklawn mainstays It Happened
Again and Win Willy, and last year’s Northern Spur victor Master Rick.
Post times will be 1:30 p.m. on weekdays and Sundays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Some exceptions include opening day and the two holiday Mondays when first post
is 1 p.m.
For more information, visit
www.oaklawn.com
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com