Oaklawn Race Tracks Amplify Horse Racing Seasons
The Oaklawn horse tracks situated in Arkansas also include December horse racing events in their schedule, extending the season to 66 days. The announcement was made by the resort on Monday.
With the addition of December races, the horse racing event at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort will begin from 3rd December 2021 to 8th May 2022. The current year’s 57 day race season started from 22nd January 2021 to 1st May 2021.
The racing tracks and hotel resorts are present in Hot Springs, almost an hour southwest of Little Rock which is the state capital and is present in the center of Arkansas.
Louis A. Cella said the recent construction of the hotel equipped with 198 rooms at the resort makes the current scenario perfect to expand the racing season.
Cella said, “For many years, horsemen have wanted to race here in December to fill a gap in their racing schedule.”
Meanwhile, in the new season horse racing will not consume during holidays which is from 24th December 2021 to 26th December 2021. The race tracks will be closed on Easter Sunday on 17th April 2022. Racetracks will resume from President Day 21st February 2022.
Racing has been started since 1904. It has been a home for the Arkansas Derby, a crucial run-up to the Triple Crown races. American Pharoah, one of the most loved Arkansas Derby winners, won the Triple Crown in 2015.
Casinos have been openly operating illegally in Hot Spring and have attracted many underworld figures like Chicago’s Al Capone. During the 1960s authorities permanently closed all the gaming halls.
Oaklawn is the only place in Hot Spring where gambling has been legalized by the authorities.
A Great Initiative
Trainer Ron Moquett expressed that Oaklawn’s extended season allows bettors who participate in the horse racing “to participate in the most lucrative purse circuit in America without any interruptions. ”
He commented, “It’s now a smooth transition between Oaklawn, Churchill, and Saratoga.”
D. Wayne Lukar, US Racing Hall of Fame trainer, said, “I think it’s a great addition and will keep our stables competitive. It’s also going to be a popular time. People are already in a festive mood around the holidays, and the weather in December is usually pretty good. I think there is going to be a strong fan base.”
Dog Racing to suspend at Southland
In addition to racing tracks in Oaklawn, there are two more casinos that are also in operation in Arkansas. The two casinos are Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff and Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis.
Yet another casino has also attained its license for operation in Russellville but it is tied up in a legal dispute.
Dog racing was held at Southland, the race is going to be discontinued next year. The sort will remain fully functional. Next year, a 21 story hotel is under construction and is expected to open soon.
By the end of 2022, West Virginia is the only state in the United States where dog racing is legal.