Oaklawn Park officials have a strong sales pitch as they go on the road seeking new stables for next year's racing season.
The track announced Thursday that it projects a record purse distribution of $23.5 million for the 2015 campaign, the seventh consecutive year it has raised purses.
Maiden-special-weight races will be $60,000, or $5,000 more than the start of the 2014 season. Allowance races are up to $65,000, and the minimum purse is $18,000.
"In this day and age, it's always gratifying to be able to raise purses," said David Longinotti, director of racing, "and for us to be able to do so year-after-year is a reflection of Oaklawn's commitment to bringing the highest quality racing to Arkansas."
Since 2008, Oaklawn's purses have increased by 33 percent, a spike Longinotti attributes to a strong racing product and the success of Instant Racing and other electronic gaming.
Another factor for the latest increases, he said, is the successful launch this year of Oaklawn's own advanced-deposit wagering service, Oaklawn Anywhere. Although ADWs have been available in Arkansas for years, Oaklawn Anywhere is the first service regulated by Arkansas Racing Commission and taxed by the state of Arkansas.
Oaklawn also is nearing completion of an expansion to its gaming area, which began in April after live racing ended. Increasing gaming by 50 percent, the expansion should be finished before live racing begins Jan. 9 and likely result in further purse increases, Longinotti said.
Oaklawn recently announced a record $6.675 million for 31 stakes next year -- a $300,000 boost over 2014 and exceeding by more than $2 million what it offered seven years ago. Included are purse increases to $750,000 for the Grade 2 Rebel, $300,000 for the Grade 2 Azeri and $250,000 for the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap for their March 14 runnings. Purses for Oaklawn's four major Kentucky Derby prep races total $2.2 million, culminating in the April 11 renewal of the $1 million Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
Go online at http://www.Oaklawn.com or call 1-800-OAKLAWN for more information about the 2015 season.
Local on 08/29/2014