Oaklawn Park Raises Purses for Numerous Key Stakes

Oaklawn Park unveiled its 2026-2027 stakes schedule, July 9, featuring 61 stakes races worth $18.79 million. Oaklawn's stakes schedule includes some of the best 3-year-old and older horse programs in the country. The 2026-2027 live racing season opens Nov. 27, the earliest opening day in the track's history. "We're continuing to invest in our horsemen while building a schedule that strengthens Oaklawn's place among the nation's premier racing destinations," said Louis Cella, Oaklawn's president. "Our goal is to elevate our 3-year-old and older horse stakes programs, while creating an exciting race meet that attracts our fans and horsemen to Oaklawn." Key enhancements to the 2026-27 stakes program include: The $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 2, the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 6, followed by an enhanced $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 13. The Rebel Stakes receives a $250,000 purse increase and will now be contested at 1 1/8 miles. The $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 10 offers the final 100-point qualifying race on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1). Oaklawn will again offer the nation's richest 3-year-old fillies program, featuring the $300,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 23, the $750,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) Feb. 20, and the $1 million Fantasy Stakes (G2) March 27. Oaklawn highlights the older stakes program with the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 17. Both races will carry $1.5 million purses, a $250,000 increase, and will create back-to-back weekends showcasing many of the nation's best Thoroughbreds. The Azeri Stakes (G2) will receive a purse increase from $400,000 to $500,000. The stakes schedule and the first condition book, covering the holiday season from Nov. 27 - Jan. 10 are now available online.