Excitement at the Horse Racing Center of the South!

Oaklawn Park race track is a thoroughbred race track in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Oaklawn Park race track has both a Winter and a Spring Meet. The races are typically held in the months of January to April. As Arkansas' premier horse racing track, Oaklawn Park race track is home to the so-called Racing Festival of the South, as well as the state's biggest horse racing event - the Arkansas Derby.

Aside from the Arkansas Derby, the following races are also held yearly at Oaklawn Park race track:

• Apple Blossom Handicap
• Arkansas Derby
• Fantasy Stakes
• Oaklawn Handicap
• Count Fleet Sprint Handicap
• Essex Handicap
• Fifth Season Stakes
• Azeri Breeders' Cup Stakes)
• Razorback Breeders' Cup Handicap
• Rebel Stakes
• Azeri Breeders' Cup Stakes

Oaklawn Park race track Description

• Oaklawn Park race track has a 1 mile oval track. The homestretch length is 1,155 feet.

• Oaklawn Park race track has no grass track.

• The track has stabling facilities for a large number of horses.

Oaklawn Park race track History

• In 1905, Oaklawn Park race track formally opened before 3,000 entusiastic spectators.

• In 1907, political problems in Arkansas led to the closure of Oaklawn Park race track.

• In 1916, Oaklawn Park race track reopened under the management of Business Men's League of Hot Springs.

• In 1934, Oaklawn Park race track began a modern meeting with a larger card.

• In 1936, the inaugural Arkansas Derby was run for a purse of $5,000.

• In 1945, Oaklawn Park race track closed for the War but had a 30-day season soon after the end of the Pacific phase.

• In 1963, racing at Oaklawn Park race track was extended to 43 days.

• In 1974, the Racing Festival of the South was created.

• In 1983, records were broken in wagering handle.

• In 1990, Sunday racing was introduced at Oaklawn Park race track.