Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort starts the 2021 live race meet today and, heading into its 117th year, the COVID-19 pandemic will make for a season truly unlike any other.
With limited spectators allowed to attend races via reservation, most betting may be done virtually this year on the Oaklawn Anywhere app.
"We have Oaklawn Anywhere. That is for Arkansans," Oaklawn General Manager Wayne Smith said Thursday during the traditional ribbon cutting by The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
"They can go out there and look for the Oaklawn Anywhere app, then they can fund their account ... either come here and fund their account or they can do it through a credit card."
Smith said the number of spectators allowed will depend on the number of reservations received, but they can have upward of 6,000 people in the building.
"It'll definitely be a different feel for us," Smith said, "but we're just very excited we could get some fans in the building. Then let's hope the vaccine and everything takes their course and then maybe by the end of the meet we'll be able to get full strength again."
In addition to hourly cleaning, Oaklawn will also be taking pandemic precautions by requiring masks at all times for both race and casino attendees.
"Masks are required. When they go out to the apron? Yes, they'll have to wear their masks unless they're smoking or having a drink, then they have to put the mask back up over the nose," Smith said.
Oaklawn Vice President of Marketing Joan Botts gave a rundown of the upcoming weekend during Thursday's annual ribbon cutting.
"This weekend, Friday will feature the $150,000 Smarty Jones with seven-horse field; the first of four Kentucky Derby Cup races that will take place here at Oaklawn," Botts said. "Saturday we will feature the $150,000 Pippin with a full field of 12 horses, and the $150,000 Fifth Season with seven horses."
Looking further into the season, she said there will be four million-dollar races and an extended Racing Festival of the South, which will include three weekends of "exciting races and big stakes."
"We will have four Hall of Fame trainers with stalls this meet," Botts said. "Steve Asmussen, D. Wayne Lukas, Nick Zito and Jerry Hollendorfer; plus plenty of new faces at Oaklawn, including top jockeys Florent Geroux, Rocco Bowen, and trainer Saffie Joseph.
"Also, the popular track kitchen is now open year-round every day at 6:30 a.m. closing at 2 p.m. on non-race days, and 30 minutes prior to the last race on race days. And our fine dining restaurant, of course, The Bugler, is now open for dinner with, we recommend reservations. People are loving The Bugler."
Races will be held through Kentucky Derby Saturday on May 1.
"We want to thank you for your support during this year of COVID, and for your loyalty and resilience for our ongoing expansion construction," Botts said. "The new level of excitement and excellence will be here very soon, and a new level of racing starts tomorrow. Here's to a great live meet."
