A schedule change and purse increase for the Razorback Handicap takes effect next year, Oaklawn Park announced Thursday.
The current Grade 3 race for older horses moves from March to Monday, Feb. 20, where it will be worth $500,000 and share billing with the Grade 3 $500,000 Southwest on Presidents Day.
The Essex Handicap increases from $100,000 to $250,000 and moves from February to Rebel Saturday, March 18, alongside the track's Grade 2 $900,000 Arkansas Derby prep for 3-year-olds and the Grade 2 $350,000 Azeri for older fillies and mares.
The Razorback (previously worth $350,000) and formerly graded Essex are major preps for older horses, ostensibly for the Grade 2 $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on the Arkansas Derby undercard in April. With purse increases and schedule changes, both become preps for the world's richest horse race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup, won this year by 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome and in the past by two-time Horse of the Year and Arkansas Derby/Rebel winner Curlin.
"We've become known for attracting the best 3-year-olds in the nation," David Longinotti, Oaklawn's director of racing, said in a release. "Now, we want to complement that by attracting the best older horses, too. And not just for the Oaklawn Handicap. We want our fans to see them in February and maybe they'll get to see them again in March and April."
Upstart, making his 4-year-old debut, won the Razorback Handicap this year, marking the first Oaklawn start for New York-based trainer Rick Violette Jr. La Macchina, trained by Oaklawn newcomer Otabek Umarov, pulled an upset in the Essex. Grade 1 winner Effinex avenged a California defeat to Melatonin with a victory in the Oaklawn Handicap.
Oaklawn's Racing Festival of the South is condensed into the final three days of the 2017 meeting, ending April 15. The $150,000 Bachelor is Thursday, April 13 and the Grade 1 $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap and Grade 3 $400,000 Fantasy April 14. Besides the Arkansas Derby, won this year by subsequent Belmont Stakes hero Creator, the April 15 stakes program includes the $150,000 Northern Spur, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap and $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap.
"Multi-stakes days have proven successful here over the past several years," Longinotti said. "By combining our biggest races on select days, we heighten the racing excitement for our fans. It also makes it more convenient for horsemen shipping to Hot Springs from all over the country."
In addition to the Razorback and Essex, Oaklawn increased the purses of 10 other stakes by at least $25,000. Bumped by $50,000 each were the Grade 3 $150,000 Bayakoa Feb. 18 and the Grade 3 $200,000 Honeybee March 11.
Overall, Oaklawn will offer 31 stakes worth $8.25 million next year. The season begins Friday, Jan. 13.
Sports on 07/29/2016