Oaklawn Horse Racing and Gaming - Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Oaklawn Horse Racing and Gaming - Hot Springs, Arkansas

Oaklawn is a horse racing track along with a gambling facility located in Hot Springs.  Oaklawn features a one-mile, oval, dirt track for the actual races held at Oaklawn, but even during Oaklawn's off-season there's still plenty to keep horse-racing enthusiasts entertained. If you don't want to watch the horses you can enjoy the gaming tables.

There are more than 40 trackes from around the world that are simulcast to Oaklawn to you can watch the races from all over between (or during) the races taking place at Oaklawn.

Aside from the simulcast races, fans of wagering will also find Instant Racing to be an exciting time. Instant Racing is a combination of slots and video games.

If you want to get reserved seating at the track you can do that in areas located throughout the Grandstand area.  All reserved seating is non-smoking.  Reserved grandstand seats are $2.50 each on weekdays and $4.50 on Saturday and Sunday.  There is box seating available by the season for individuals.  Sometimes a box is released by the owner for the day if they can't attend the races and then it is available when the gates open and may be purchased at the Box Seats window on race days only.

There is dining available at the track for those that want to eat before (or during) the races.  The Carousel Terrace offers a stunning collection of authentic antique carousel horses and music boxes and televsion monitors on each tale to keep you up to date on the latest racing information.  The Post Parade Restaurant is also available for dining.

The horse track casino's gaming space features 650 gaming machines. The property has nine restaurants and one bar. the track is Arkansas’s only thoroughbred horse racing venue and the lone remaining gambling center in a city once known as much for its casinos as for its famous thermal baths.

Oaklawn Park opened on February 15, 1905.  There have been many battles in keeping the track open, and for awhile it wasn't when a bill was passed forbidding gambling of any sort in the state in 1907.  The park was owned by Louis A. Cella and his brother Charles of St. Louis in 1914 and has remained in their family ever since.  Racing was resumed in 1917.  It was closed again in 1929.  In March of 1934 it reopened without the consent of the legislature and finally, the legislature approved a bill to permit horse racing with pari-mutual wagering in 1935.

According to Oaklawn Park history, the first Arkansas Derby ran in 1936 with a purse of $5,000. The derby is the most prestigious race regularly held at Oaklawn Park and is considered a preliminary for contenders at the highest levels of national thoroughbred horseracing. Several participants in the Arkansas Derby, such as Smarty Jones and Count Fleet, have gone on to compete in and win some or all of the races that make up the Triple Crown.

Throughout Oaklawn Park’s history, the facilities have been regularly improved and expanded to serve greater numbers of patrons and accommodate changes in the business. Expansions and additions during the latter half of the twentieth century increased the size of the facility and improved available amenities. In 1992, the largest hand-crafted artwork at any thoroughbred racetrack in the country was completed on the front façade of Oaklawn. The mural, which measures 240 feet by fourteen feet, represents a race from post parade to the finish and can be seen along the upper edge of the building over the main or southernmost entrance. After 2000, the expansion of electronic gaming demanded more space, requiring the conversion of areas previously dedicated to live racing on the lower level at the south end of the facility. This area has evolved into what is now a self-contained electronic gaming area, complete with its own restaurant.

If you are looking to plan a trip for the live season, seating reservations can be made Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., beginning November 24.  until Opening Day. then 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Opening Day thru Derby Day.

Location: 2705 Central Avenue
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901

Phone: 800-OAKLAWN or 501-623-4411