Oaklawn, Turfway Increase Overnight Purses
Aided by cancellations and healthy purse accounts, Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and Turfway Park in Kentucky have increased overnight purses.
Pat Pope
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Far Right Breezes, Set for Southwest Stakes
Far Right completed his major preparations for the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. II), the highlight of the upcoming Presidents Day card at Oaklawn Park, by breezing a half mile in company Feb. 8.
Oaklawn Announces Purse Hike to Begin Feb. 12
Citing strong across-the-board business in the month of January, Oaklawn Park announced it is raising overnight purses between $1,000 and $3,000 per race effective Thursday, Feb. 12.
Early Claiming Activity Robust at Oaklawn
Oaklawn Park racing secretary Pat Pope predicted that claiming activity would be "very robust" during the 2015 meeting that began Jan. 15. So far, Pope is right.
Take Charge Brandi Set for Martha Washington
Few connections wanted to face Take Charge Brandi, but in the end a field of seven was drawn with the champion 2-year-old filly making her sophomore debut from post 6 under a highweight assignment of 122 pounds.
Solid Opener Set for Oaklawn Park Jan. 9
The nine-race Jan. 9 opening-day card at Oaklawn Park drew 92 entries, three more than the corresponding date last year and seven more than in 2013 at the Hot Springs, Ark., Thoroughbred track.
Oaklawn Reports Record Stall Applications
Oaklawn Park reported Nov. 7 that it has received a record number of stall applications for the 2015 winter/spring race season.
Oaklawn Hikes Overnight, Two Stakes Purses
Citing robust January business, Oaklawn Racing and Gaming announced it will increase all overnight purses by as much as $2,000 per race starting with the Saturday, Feb. 8 card.
Prairie Meadows' Purses to Average $220,000
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino has announced an average daily purse structure of about $220,000 during the 67-day Thoroughbred meet from April 18-Aug. 9.
Doro Promoted to Racing Secretary at Delaware
Delaware Park announced the promotion of Jerome "Jed" Doro to the position of racing secretary Jan. 22. Doro, 34, was the assistant racing secretary for the past six years.
Pope to Return to Prairie Meadows in 2014
Pat Pope has been hired as racing secretary at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino for its 2014 season.
Jed Doro, Nancy Ury Added to Oaklawn Staff
Jerome Doro and Nancy Ury have joined the Oaklawn Park staff in key seasonal positions ahead of the 2014 live race meet.
Oaklawn Purses Will Total Nearly $20 Million
Oaklawn Park's 2013 live meeting will be the richest in the Arkansas track's 109-year history. Purses will total close to $20 million during the 56-day season, Jan. 11-April 13.
Another Purse Raise at Oaklawn
Just two days after announcing a unique participation incentive designed to increase field size during the final 11 days of the racing season, and less than a month after an initial bump, Oaklawn purses are on the rise again.
Oaklawn Announces Participation Bonus Program
In an effort to maximize field size during the final days of its season, Oaklawn will once again offer a unique participation incentive for all overnight races beginning March 26, and lasting through the end of the season.
Oaklawn Announces Purse Increases
Increases include a $500 increase for claiming races, and $2,000 for maiden special weight and allowance events. No purse at Oaklawn will be less than $15,500 for the remainder of the 2010 meet.
Less Equates to More at Delaware Park in 2009
Delaware Park raced 27 fewer days this year but registered increases in total handle and average daily handle, track officials said Oct. 28.
Oaklawn Stakes Purses Up for 2010
Purses may be down across the country, but stakes purses at Oaklawn Park will be higher in 2010 than they were in 2009 according to report on Arkansas Sports 360.com.
Pope Named Racing Secretary at Delaware
Delaware Park announced Dec. 8 that Pat Pope had been appointed racing secretary for the track's upcoming 72nd meet.
Oaklawn Bumps Overnight Purses Once More
For the second time this season, Oaklawn Park has increased all overnight purses by $1,000. The latest purse increase, which will take effect with races carded for March 14, will bring the total increase in purses this year at Oaklawn to more than $1 million.
Oaklawn to Redistribute Purses from Missed Races
Purse monies intended for Oaklawn Park during the four canceled days of racing this week will be redistributed starting Feb. 8 through the balance of the season, which concludes on April 14.
Weekend Racing Cancelled at Oaklawn Park
Wintry conditions which have made the racing surface at Oaklawn Park unsuitable for racing have forced the cancellation of this week's live racing. Racing has been cancelled through Feb.4, and will resume Feb. 8.
Oaklawn Park Sets Record Purses for 2007 Meet
Oaklawn Park projects record daily average purses of $290,000 for its 2007 meet, up from $275,000 a day this year because of increased revenue from Instant Racing.
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.
Purses Increased at Oaklawn Park
Following a successful opening month at Oaklawn Park, including record growth in the Instant Racing pari-mutuel wagering system, the track announced an across-the-board purse increase, beginning with the races of Feb. 24.
Oaklawn Completes Track Base Project
Oaklawn Park has completed the overhaul of its racetrack, which included rebuilding the base and renovating the racing surface. Horses are scheduled to arrive at the Arkansas track around Dec. 1.
Oaklawn Ups Ante With $5 Million Bonus
Oaklawn Park announced Wednesday that it will not only double the purse for next year's Arkansas Derby (gr. II) from $500,000 to $1 million, but also will offer a $5-million bonus should any horse sweep the Rebel Stakes, Arkansas Derby, and Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Arkansas Derby Helps Oaklawn Meet Recover
The 2003 Oaklawn Park meet started with cancellation of the opening weekend's cards due to terrible weather, but ended its 49-day run with an outstanding crowd of 61,752 for the Arkansas Derby program April 12.
Oaklawn Bumps Purse for Graded Essex
Oaklawn Park track officials announced that the Essex Handicap (gr. III), for 3-year-olds and upwards at 1 1/16 mile, scheduled for Feb. 22, will be contested for a purse of $100,000 guaranteed.
Highest Purses Ever for Oaklawn Park in 2003
Oaklawn Park will offer its highest purse structure ever when it opens Jan. 24, 2003 with daily average purses of $235,000 to $240,000.
Positive Momentum as Oaklawn Meet Opens
It may be the last major winter meet to get underway, but it won't be the least on a number of fronts. Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., is looking forward to a strong 2002 season because of higher purses, an increase in on-track business, and plenty of interest by horsemen.
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