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Lukas Still Hoping Optimizer Can Draw In

After watching Optimizer work at Churchill Downs April 29, trainer D. Wayne Lukas expressed confidence in the colt's potential in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

On Fire Baby Works 7 Furlongs for Oaks

Anita Cauley's homebred On Fire Baby tuned up for the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) with a seven-furlong breeze in 1:27 at Churchill Downs April 27.

Amie's Dini Has Initial Work at Churchill

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful Amie's Dini worked for the first time over the Churchill Downs track April 22. Trained by Ron Moquette, the daughter of Bandini covered four furlongs in :50 2/5.

Mother Nature Provides Boost to Oaklawn

Unlike 2011, when the meet was hampered by inclement weather, Oaklawn Park raced seven more days this year, resulting in increases in total purses, attendance, and handle, while daily averages declined in each category.

Slideshow: Racing Festival of the South

Images from Oaklawn Park's 2012 Racing Festival of the South.

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TVG Partners Show Handle Gains on Big Day

TVG, the racing network and advance deposit wagering service, reported substantial pari-mutuel handle gains by partner racetracks April 14.

After the Wire - 4/15/2012

Evan recaps the Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

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Top Finishers in Arkansas Derby Heading to KY

The top three finishers in the April 14 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park were resting comfortably in their stalls the morning after each secured a spot in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Bodemeister Blasts Off in Arkansas Derby

Bodemeister, needing a victory in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) to take the next step on the Triple Crown trail, produced an emphatic triumph in the $1 million race at Oaklawn Park April 14.

THS: Blue Grass Stakes

Jason and Evan handicap the Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby this week.

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Plum Pretty Assumes Apple Blossom Favoritism

Last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner, Peachtree Stable's Plum Pretty, will carry top weight of 117 pounds in the 1 1/16-mile event for fillies and mares on the main track.

Havre de Grace Will Not Defend Apple Blossom

Saying that weight assignments for the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) were "unfair," owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones will bypass the April 13 race at Oaklawn Park with Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.

Havre de Grace Works, Assigned 123 Pounds

Horse of the Year Havre de Grace tuned up for a possible defense of her 2011 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) title with a five furlong breeze in 1:02 1/5 under jockey Jenna Joubert.

Shippers Invade for Oaklawn's Fantasy

With expected favorite On Fire Baby skipping the race, Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Bill Mott have entered some improving fillies in the $300,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park April 11.

'Historical Racing' Approved in Nebraska

"Historical racing," a form of electronic gaming based upon results of previously run races, has been approved by Nebraska lawmakers and sent to Gov. Dave Heineman.

Havre de Grace Tops 'Racing Festival' Noms

Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace tops the list of horses nominated to the stakes extravaganza that, along with the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), comprise the "Racing Festival of the South" at Oaklawn Park April 11-14.

Caleb's Posse, Scatman Work at Oaklawn

Caleb's Posse worked March 27 for a run in Aqueduct's Carter Handicap (gr. I) April 7; Scatman goes a half in :49 in first move since running third in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II).

Options Abound for On Fire Baby

Her latest workout came March 27 at Oaklawn Park when she covered seven furlongs in 1:27 4/5. Following that drill, her connections are pondering the April 11 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) or April 14 Arkansas Derby (gr. I).

Sabercat Working Toward Arkansas Derby

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Sabercat returned to the worktab March 26 at Oaklawn Park with plans on running in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) next month.

Jones: Weight Must be Right for Apple Blossom

For Rick Porter and Larry Jones, Plan A is to run Havre de Grace in the Apple Blossom Handicap April 13. However, the connections have also made one thing clear: They will only do so under the right weight conditions.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen 3/19/2012

Haskin's Derby Dozen shifts with Gemologist, Optimizer and Secret Circle this week.

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THS: Rebel Stakes

Tom and Jason handicap the Rebel Stakes and Santa Margarita Stakes this week.

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Oaklawn Announces Third Purse Hike of Meet

Oaklawn Park announced it is raising purses for the third time during the current meet thanks to double digit increases in wagering and Instant Racing revenue during the month of February.

No Wrongdoing Found in Canceled Oaklawn Wager

Officials announced March 4 that they found no wrongdoing following an investigation into a $100,000 show wager canceled 10 minutes prior to the running of the first division of the Feb. 20 Southwest Stakes (gr. III).

Triple Crown Possibles Work at Oaklawn

Anita Cauley's On Fire Baby rolled through another fast workout the morning of March 3 at Oaklawn as the 3-year-old daughter of Smoke Glacken prepares for the March 11 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III).

Oaklawn Park Hikes Purses $100,000 a Week

Officials at Oaklawn Park said that with an additional $800,000 in purse money through the end of the meet, purses will total a record $18 million for the 56-day session.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen 2/20/2012

A few horses move up in Steve's Dozen this week and a lot of new insight in Steve's notes for last week and horses knocking on the door.

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Castaway Rolls in Southwest First Division

Castaway, the least experienced of two Bob Baffert trainees shipped to Oaklawn Park for the two divisions of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III), rolled to a convincing 3 3/4-length triumph in the first division.

Ultimate Eagle, Jeranimo, Caleb's Posse Work

Several horses posted important works at Santa Anita Park the weekend of Feb. 18-19, while Caleb's Posse worked at Oaklawn Park.

Southwest Could be Split Into Two Divisions

A final decision will be made at entry time as to whether or not the race will be split into two divisions, each carrying a $250,000 purse and the grade III status. Entries for the race will be drawn Feb. 18.

Now I Know Injured, Retired from Racing

Now I Know, winner of the 2011 Delta Downs Princess Stakes (gr. III), has been retired from racing, according to a Feb. 14 Oaklawn Park press release.

Reckless Jerry on Target for Southwest

After a less-than-perfect trip in the Smarty Jones Stakes last month, Reckless Jerry looks as if he's on track to rebound in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park. He worked five furlongs Feb. 5.

Good Weather Aids Business at Oaklawn Park

Oaklawn Park said overnight purses will increase $5,000 per day effective Feb. 9 because of improved business aided by good weather.

On Fire Baby to Tackle Males at Oaklawn

Anita Cauley's 3-year-old filly On Fire Baby, winner of two grade II stakes at the 2011 Churchill Downs fall meet, is poised to challenge males in the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 16 at Oaklawn Park.

TVG to Televise 2012 Oaklawn Meet

TVG has added Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., to its winter lineup and will televise the 2012 Oaklawn meet beginning Jan. 13.

Wallace Gets Another Honor in Arkansas

Terry Wallace, who retired as Oaklawn Park's track announcer in June after 37 seasons of racing, will be among the 2012 class of inductees into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in February 2012.

Rebel Purse Boost Part of Oaklawn Schedule

A $200,000 bump to the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and a condensed four-day, nine stakes Racing Festival of the South highlight Oaklawn Park's 2012 live racing season, which kicks off Jan. 13.

Frank Mirahmadi to Announce Oaklawn Races

Frank Mirahmadi has been named the new announcer at Oaklawn Park beginning in 2012, the track reported July 14.

Richardson New Oaklawn Track Superintendent

Oaklawn Park has announced the appointment of Jamie Richardson as track superintendent for the Hot Springs, Arkansas track.

Purses Up at Oaklawn; Total Handle Declines

Oaklawn Park reported increases in attendance, pari-mutuel handle, and purses for its 2011 meet, which was impacted early on by weather-related cancellations.

Apple Blossom: Havre de Grace Seeks GI Win

Havre de Grace will try to solidify her status as a division leader when she goes for her first grade I win against a short field in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) in Hot Springs, Ark.

Oaklawn Approved for 56-Day Meet in 2012

The Arkansas Racing Commission voted unanimously March 26 to approve Oaklawn Park's request to race 56 days in 2012.

Participation Bonus Returns at Oaklawn Park

For the third consecutive year, Oaklawn Park will offer a participation bonus from March 31 through the end of the meet on April 16 for all non-stakes races that draw more than eight wagering interests.

Wallace Named Arkansas HBPA 'Man of the Year'

Terry Wallace, the voice of Arkansas horse racing since 1975, was honored March 19 with the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's Man of the Year Award for 2011.

Horsemen Told to Closely Guard Purse Accounts

Horsemen were told March 18 of the importance of keeping close watch of purse accounts, money from which sometimes ends up commingled with racetrack operating accounts or tangled in bankruptcy cases.

Longshot Pair Being Scratched From Rebel

The connections for Dreaminofthewin and Glint have informed Oaklawn Park officials March 18 they intend to scratch out of Saturday's $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II).

Jockey Torres to Miss Rest of Oaklawn Stand

Jockey Francisco Torres, who had six winners during the Oaklawn Park meet, reported March 13 that he has two broken ribs and will be out of action for the remainder of the stand.

Oaklawn Park Assistant Starter Injured

Oaklawn Park assistant starter Ben Ewing suffered a head injury while loading horses for the eighth race on at the Arkansas track on March 11.

Rebel Contenders Show Up on Oaklawn Work Tab

With just under two weeks until the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II), several leading contenders based at Oaklawn Park posted workouts March 6.

Oaklawn Park Raises Purses for Second Time

After getting the meet off to a bumpy start due to inclement weather, Oaklawn Park reported that improved weather led to larger crowds in February, resulting in the second purse increase.