Oaklawn Park report

Grisham in serious condition

HOT SPRINGS - Oaklawn Park media icon Don Grisham remained hospitalized Friday afternoon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock after suffering a stroke, according to Oaklawn officials.

Grisham, 83, was stricken Thursday night and initially transported to Mercy Hospital Hot Springs before being airlifted to UAMS in serious condition, Oaklawn officials said. Grisham, a Hot Springs native and Henderson State graduate, was a Daily Racing Form columnist for more than 30 years before retiring in the 1990s. He later was a member of Oaklawn’s media relations department.

Grisham was inducted into Hot Springs’ Arkansas Walk of Fame in 2009.

The Walk of Fame honors people who were born or lived in Arkansas and recognized nationally for a significant contribution in their field.

Grisham received the distinguished service award from the Arkansas division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association in 2009.

The HBPA is a national organization dedicated to protecting the rights and providing assistance to horsemen.

Getting acquainted

Ride On Curlin is scheduled to work this morning under Jon Court, who has secured the mount on the Curlin colt for the $1million Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 12, said the jockey’s agent, Steve Krajcir of Hot Springs.

Ride On Curlin is coming off a third-place finish in the $600,000 Grade IIRebel Stakes on March 15 under Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux.

Ride On Curlin, in his 3-year-old debut, finished third in the $300,000 Grade III Southwest Stakes onFeb. 17 under Hall of Famer Calvin Borel.

Court won the Arkansas Derby in 2010 aboard Line of David and in 2011 aboard Archarcharch for his father in-law, trainer Jinks Fires of Hot Springs, and owners Robert and Val Yagos of Jacksonville.

Claim wars

Oaklawn surpassed $5 million in claims Friday, the 43rd day of the meeting.

Nine claims Friday totaled $167,500, and pushed season totals to 333 and $5,107,000, respectively.

Oaklawn equaled total number of claims from last year’s 54-day meeting Friday.

It eclipsed the total amount for claims in 2013 ($4,934,750) on Thursday.

Oaklawn, at the most, will race 53 days this year after losing four cards to winter weather (Feb. 6-9).

Final furlong

The racing surface was rated wet-fast for Friday’s first two races before being downgraded to sloppy.

… There was no show wagering on Friday’s first race after three scratches reduced the starting field to four. … Friday’s third race was delayed four minutes because of severe weather. … Paul Holthus, who returned to training at the meeting after a 19-year absence, saddled his seventh winner from 22 starts when Afleet Aggie nosed out Holly Go in Friday’s third race. The 1-2 finishers both went off 3-1, and each had the exact amount of money in the win pool ($13,358). … If the track is suitable, On Fire Baby will work 5 furlongs this morning in preparation for the $600,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap on April 11, trainer Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage said.

Hartlage said the work will be Sunday, if On Fire Baby doesn’t breeze today.

She is the defending Apple Blossom champion.

At the post

DAY 43 ATTENDANCE (6,495) ON-TRACK HANDLE ($630,489.90) OFF-TRACK HANDLE ($1,749,078.18) TOTAL HANDLE ($2,379,568.08).

CLASSIX CARRYOVER $28,150.04.

FRIDAY’S STARS Ricardo Santana Jr. rode two winners, including Mallard’s Bro in the $75,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes (open division).

TODAY’S TIMES First post for the 10 races is 1:05 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. TELEVISION HRTV (races 7-10), TVG (full card). Oaklawn Replay Show (8 p.m., Resort Cable Channel 5, Hot Springs 11 p.m., KARZ, Channel 42, Little Rock).

RADIO Oaklawn Raceday (11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., KABZ-FM, 103.7, Little Rock).

DAWN AT OAKLAWN (7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., south apron). Special guest Oaklawn track announcer Frank Mirahmadi. Free admission.

PRICES Admission $2 parking in Oaklawn lots $2 reserved seats $2.50 weekdays, $4.50; 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, 9-10)

CLASSIX (races 3-8)

Pick-3 (rolling begins with race 2)

Pick-4 (races 2-5, races 7-10) TODAY’S SIMULCASTING SCHEDULE Tampa Bay Downs (11:25 a.m.), Calder (11:55 a.m.), Gulfstream Park (12:05 p.m.), Turfway Park (12:10 p.m.), Aqueduct (12:20 p.m.), Fair Grounds (12:30 p.m.), Hawthorne (1:45 p.m.), Santa Anita (2:30 p.m.), Penn National (5 p.m.), Wheeling (5:45 p.m.), Charles Town (6 p.m.), Sam Houston (6 p.m.), Mountaineer (6 p.m.), Southland (7:30 p.m.).