2015 Oaklawn Meet Features Rich Series of Stakes Races

The Grade 2 Rebel Stakes – formerly run for a purse of $150,000 – will offer a $750,000 purse in 2015, adding to the lure of Oaklawn’s Triple Crown already well-established Kentucky Derby prep series which features the $1 million Arkansas Derby.  The 2014 Rebel Stakes saw three year-old star Will Take Charge outduel stablemate Oxbow to the wire with the former going on to win the Travers Stakes and the later becoming the eventual Preakness champion. The Grade 2 $250,000 Rebel Stakes is scheduled for March 14, and will mark the first of the three Kentucky Derby preps at Oaklawn.  In recent years, notable Triple Crown horses such as Smarty Jones, Lawyer Ron, Hard Spun, Curlin, and Lookin at Lucky have prepped at Oaklawn.

31 Stakes highlight lucrative meet 

In total, the 2015 Oaklawn meet will host 31 stakes races worth a combined $6,675,000  - a $300,000 increase over 2014, and over $2 more than what was offered in 2008.  As usual the four months of racing in Hot Springs, Arkansas will feature the Grade 1 Apple Blossom for fillies and mares as well as the Grade 1 Oaklawn Handicap for older horses.  Both races will be run for a purse of $600,000 in 2015. 

Saving the best for last 

The 2015 Oaklawn meet will culminate April 11 with the Arkansas Derby.  Last year's Arkansas Derby winner, Danza, finished third in the Kentucky Derby.