Oaklawn Raises Overnight Purses for Final Week

Oaklawn Park has raised all overnight purses by $1,000 effective April 9, when the Racing Festival of the South begins.

"This purse increase on overnight races during the Racing Festival of the South is simply our way to say thanks to the horsemen," Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope said. "By all standards this has been an excellent racing season, and a purse increase is a good way to salute the horsemen for their role in achieving that success."

The Oaklawn meet concludes April 16 with the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) program.

Pope said "healthy business trends" made the latest purse increase possible. Handle on Oaklawn races is up 5%, and handle through Instant Racing--pari-mutuel devices with a video-slots feel--is up 150% this year, he said.