Off-track wagering paying off
HOT SPRINGS - Oaklawn Park General Manager Eric Jackson said the track is projecting a record purse distribution for the 2014 live meeting that ends April 12.
Oaklawn was scheduled to race 57 days this season but lost an entire of week of racing (Feb. 6-9) and partial cards Feb. 2 and March 2 to harsh winter weather.
Still, Jackson said he believes total purse distribution at the meeting will be around $21 million, meaning the daily average could be “just north” of $400,000.
Oaklawn averaged a record $347,796 in daily purses at the 2013 meeting, according to The Jockey Club Information Systems.
The anticipated spike in 2014 is being fueled by continued strong play involving electronic skillbased games at the track and surging off-track business.
Oaklawn expanded its wagering menu this year to make it more attractive to offtrack bettors and introduced OaklawnAnywhere, an advance deposit wagering site that allows Arkansas residents to wager on races via the Internet.
“Our business away from Arkansas has been fantastic,” Jackson said. “We’re crying a little bit here because of the weather, but around the country our business has never been stronger. As a result, throw it all in the pot, the purses are great. I really can’t quite believe we’re running maidens for $60,000.”
No (bonus) babies
Oaklawn will not offer a participation bonus tied to field size during the final days of the meeting this year, General Manager Eric Jackson said.
Oaklawn began offering the bonus in 2009 - $1,000to the purse for every horse in overnight races with more than eight separate wagering interests - as an incentive to keep trainers until the end of the meeting.
Oaklawn’s horse population begins to decrease at this time of the year because of the opening of Hawthorne in suburban Chicago and openings next month at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., Lone Star near Dallas and Woodbine near Toronto.
Canadian-based trainer Josie Carroll, for example, recently removed her small Oaklawn string.
Oaklawn has already raised purses twice this year, and Jackson said the track is projecting a record $21 million to be distributed in 2014.
“I think we’re going to ride this one out,” Jackson said. “We think maidens at $60,000 is a pretty good participation bonus right there.”
Oaklawn began maiden special weights races this year at a record $55,000. They are now $60,000 following the two purse hikes.
Under the participation bonus format, a race with an $18,000 purse would be worth $19,000 if there were nine wagering interests and would increase to $22,000 for a full field of 12.
Hat’s back
Agent Harry “The Hat” Hacek said he will represent Ramon Vazquez at Prairie Meadows in Iowa following the completion of the Oaklawn meeting April 12.
Hacek came out of retirement late last year to launch his comeback at the 2014 Oaklawn meeting, representing newcomer Rafael Manuel Hernandez.
But Hernandez, a stalwart in Illinois, abruptly left opening weekend.
Hacek remained in Hot Springs, “biding my time,” he said, until a rider he wanted to represent became available.
Vazquez is Oaklawn’s fourth-leading rider this year (22 victories) and won the title last fall at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
“I’ve had leading riders in nine different states,” Hacek said. “This is where I want to wind up, so it’s a great circuit.”
Hacek became an agent at the 1970 Oaklawn meeting and has represented approximately 50 jockeys since then.
Vazquez is now represented by Ruben Munoz, who also books mounts for 2013 Oaklawn riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr.
Today’s feature
Two-time defending champion Devil and a Half is the 3-1 program favorite for today’s $75,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes (open division) at 1 1/16 miles.
The race is for Arkansas-bred horses, 3-year-olds and upward.
Trained by Mac Robertson, Devil and a Half is coming off a runner-up finish in his 7-year-old debut, a state-bred second-level allowance/optional claimer Feb. 27.
The winner of that race, Trace Creek, will carry top weight of 123 pounds today.
Trace Creek is owned by Arkansas lumberman John Ed Anthony.
Arkansas-based Five Star Racing Stable will be represented by half-brothers The Mallard Man and Mallard’s Bro.
The Mallard Man won the inaugural Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes in 2011.
Al Cates of Hot Springs trains The Mallard Man and Mallard’s Bro, who will be coupled in the wagering.
Also entered is Humble Smarty, a 10-year-old gelding who has $567,444 in career earnings.
Probable post time for the Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes, the eighth of nine races, is 4:42 p.m.
Final furlong
Thursday’s racing surface was rated wet-fast for the first four races before being downgraded to sloppy. … Four-time Oaklawn leading owners K.K. and Devi Jayaraman scored their first victory of the meeting in Thursday’s second race (Quite Spectacular). They had been 0 for 22. … Alex Canchari, who took off his mounts Sunday after being unseated the previous day, won Thursday’s third race aboard Our Laughing Lady. … The Jayaramans paid the $6,000 fee to make Fabulous Kid, who is scheduled to make his career debut in Saturday’s eighth race, a late Triple Crown nominee. … Trainer Paul Holthus moved to 6 for 21 at the meeting when Lasting Impact won Thursday’s fourth race. Holthus and wife Nancy (N P H Stable) co-own the gelding. … Triple Crown nominee Knock Em Flat broke his maiden by 5¾ lengths in Thursday’s seventh race, covering 1 1/16 miles in a sharp 1:44.12.
At the post DAY 42 ATTENDANCE 5,133 ON-TRACK HANDLE $436,934.20 OFF-TRACK HANDLE $2,097,863.96 TOTAL HANDLE $2,534,798.16 CLASSIX CARRYOVER $19,041.53 THURSDAY’S STARS Cliff Berry rode three winners, including both ends of the late daily double.
TODAY’S TIMES First post for the nine races is 1:30 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. TELEVISION HRTV (races 7-9), TVG (full card). Oaklawn Replay Show (8 p.m., Resort Cable Channel 5, Hot Springs; 11 p.m., KARZ, Channel 42, Little Rock). PRICES Admission $2. Parking in Oaklawn lots $2. Reserved seats $2.50. Programs $2. Daily Racing Form $5, $6.50, $7.50. Tip sheets $2-$5.
TODAY’S WAGERING MENU
Win-place-show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagering offered on all races
Daily double (races 1-2, 8-9)
CLASSIX (races 3-8)
Pick-3 (rolling begins with race 2)
Pick-4 (races 2-5, races 6-9) TODAY’S SIMULCASTING SCHEDULE Tampa Bay Downs (11:25 a.m.), Laurel (11:35 a.m.), Calder (11:55 a.m.), Gulfstream Park (12:05 p.m.), Aqueduct (12:20 p.m.), Fair Grounds (1:25 p.m.), Hawthorne (1:45 p.m.), Golden Gate Fields (2:45 p.m.), Santa Anita (3 p.m.), Penn National (5 p.m.), Turfway Park (5:15 p.m.), Wheeling (5:45 p.m.), Charles Town (6 p.m.), Sam Houston (7 p.m.), Southland (7:30 p.m.).
Sports, Pages 22 on 03/28/2014