Oaklawn Park
It is the home to what the track calls The Racing Festival of the South.
History and information
Oaklawn Park officially opened on February 24, 1905. More than 3,000 people attended as a holiday had been declared in Hot Springs.
During these early years the track only ran six races a day, similar to British cards. During this time of closure, the track was sold to Louis Cella as the original business partners had both died.
The track reopened in 1916 under the auspices of Business Men's League of Hot Springs.
In 1918, Louis Cella died and the ownership of the track was transferred to his brother, Charles. Following this transfer the track ran off and on due to the Arkansas political climate racing returned to the track permanently.
Cella died and the presidency of Oaklawn transferred to his son, John G. In 1941 purses again hit a record for the largest purses in Oaklawn history.
Unlike most American tracks Oaklawn stayed open in 1944 but World War II caught up with Oaklawn Park and the track was closed in 1945. Following the defeat of Japan a 30-day late autumn and winter season was held at Oaklawn.
After the end of the war the track hit unprecedented levels of prosperity.
This financed a major clubhouse renovation and a resurfacing of the track. Throughout the 1950's the track continued to climb in handle, attendance and purses.
In 1962 the track had such a good year that it reached the five spot on the most profitable and successful tracks in North America.
By 1965, the Arkansas Derby was a $50,000 stakes and one that could attract top Kentucky Derby prospects. Cella, the current President of Oaklawn Park, succeeded his father into that position following John G.
Sweeney Grant, under whom Oaklawn had enjoyed 16 years of remarkable growth, died. The festival is a week with one stakes race everyday leading up to the Arkansas Derby.
In 1975 a major renovation was completed which included a five-level, glass-enclosed addition to the north end of the grandstand, near the top of the stretch.
Increased competition from neighboring states, a lack of Sunday racing and a lack of dates are blamed for this decline. The same year the grandstand is enlarged for the fourth time in ten years.
By 1990, the track was forced to race on Sundays.
In the past fifteen years Oaklawn Park has continued to do well in Arkansas although the track faces competition from casinos in neighboring states and wintertime racing in Louisiana, Florida, California, Kentucky and New York.
Physical attributes
The track consists of a one mile dirt oval.