Excitement at the Horse Racing Centre of the South!

Oaklawn Park racecourse is a thoroughbred racecourse in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Oaklawn Park racecourse 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 racecourse 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 racecourse:

• 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 racecourse Description

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

• Oaklawn Park racecourse has no turf course.

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

Oaklawn Park racecourse History

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

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

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

• In 1934, Oaklawn Park racecourse 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 racecourse closed for the War but had a 30-day season soon after the end of the Pacific phase.

• In 1963, racing at Oaklawn Park racecourse 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 racecourse.