That could be one crowded winner's circle at Oaklawn Park if a certain horse wins in the track's 2018 racing season.
The newly formed Oaklawn Racing Club offers up to 200 shares at $500 each in a horse that will be purchased privately and trained by native Arkansan Ron Moquett, who has trained major contenders in Oaklawn's 3-year-old stakes program the last three years with Far Right, Whitmore and Petrov.
According to an Oaklawn news release Friday, the plan is for Moquett to identify and purchase an unraced 2-year-old with the goal of starting one or two times this fall in preparation for its 3-year-old campaign at Oaklawn. The 2018 local season runs Jan. 12-April 14.
"Oaklawn has one of the greatest fan bases in the country, and we know there will be a lot of interest in our racing club," said General Manager Wayne Smith. "There's nothing more exciting than having the opportunity to be involved in thoroughbred racehorse ownership. We're looking forward to working with Ron and hopefully offering that thrill to Oaklawn Racing Club members."
Moquett, a Greenwood native, has been among Oaklawn's leading trainers in recent years with Far Right winning two local stakes and finishing second to eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Arkansas Derby. Whitmore finished third in the 2016 Arkansas Derby and won Oaklawn's Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap and the Hot Springs Stakes this year.
"I'm really excited to be part of the Oaklawn Racing Club," said Moquett, who stables in Kentucky in summer and fall. "This is a great way for a racing fan to get the experience without all the risks that can come with owning a thoroughbred. We look forward to having a lot of fun with the group and their horse."
Membership benefits include regular email updates on the horse and access to a member-only Facebook page for regular pictures, videos and updates on the horse. Other perks include club events during the 2018 Oaklawn season and two free reserved seats every time the Oaklawn Racing Club horse runs (excluding Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby days).
The Oaklawn release said the club was "organized for pleasure, recreational and other nonprofitable purposes" and that "members should not join with any profit motive or expectation of profit."
Membership shares are available only through the Oaklawn website, www.oaklawn.com, beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9. Only one membership per person is allowed and all participants must be at least 18 years old to participate.
Visit http://www.oaklawn.com or email [email protected] for more information.
Local on 07/29/2017