Oaklawn will be ringing in 2016 with the return of live racing Friday, Jan. 15 and exciting promotions in the gaming area. The 2016 live racing season runs through Saturday, April 16 on a Thursday – Sunday basis. There will also be racing on two holiday Mondays (Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day) as well as the first two Wednesdays in April.
The action-packed meet, which will offer free admission all season long, gets started with a special 12:30 p.m. first post opening day and two of the featured promotions will take place over the first five days of racing. The traditional $.50 Corned Beef Sandwiches and $.10 soft drinks return Saturday, Jan. 16 and Oaklawn honors 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, winner of the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby, with a special bobblehorse giveaway Monday, Jan. 18.
Fans attending the special Martin Luther King Jr. Day card will receive a bobblehorse with a $2 donation to the Arkansas Racetrack Chaplaincy while supplies last. They will also have the chance to cheer on the next generation of 3-year-olds in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, the first in Oaklawn’s rich series leading up to the Arkansas Derby April 16.
With the exception of opening day and closing day when first post is 12:30 p.m., the races start at 1:30 p.m. weekdays and Sundays and 1 p.m. Saturdays, Super Bowl Sunday and holiday Mondays.
In the gaming area, Oaklawn’s reel tournaments continue in January with the $15,000 Off to the Races qualifying tournaments every Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Finals will be held February 24 when the lucky players will try to win a share of $7,500 Free Play. Players just need to have earned the qualifying points to participate.
Every Thursday during the month, Oaklawn will offer $16,000 Flurries of Free Play from 6-10 p.m. Winners will be called every 15 minutes and they will be playing for their share of $16,000 in Free Play.
Lagniappes restaurant offers a Catfish special every Wednesday from 5 – 10 p.m. Every Friday from 5 – 10 p.m. it’s Steak Night where guests can enjoy a steak voted one of the best in Hot Springs or if they prefer, the catch of the day.
Reserved seats for the 2016 racing season are now on sale. Seats can be purchased Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. by calling 1-800-Oaklawn ext. 340. Dining reservations begin Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Follow Oaklawn Racing & Gaming on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date news and reminders for what’s happening. For more information or a complete list of promotions, visit oaklawn.com or call (501) 623-441.
Special Dates
Jan. 15: Opening Day of live racing – Special 12:30 p.m. first post
Jan. 16: $.50 Corned Beef Sandwiches and $.10 Soft Drinks Day
Jan. 18: American Pharoah Bobblehorse Day
Schedule of Events
Sundays: Live racing 1:30 p.m.
Mondays: $15,000 Off to the Races Reel Tournament
Tuesdays: $15,000 Off to the Races Reel Tournament
Wednesdays: Catfish Night Karaoke (7 – 11 p.m. Half-price drinks in Pop’s Lounge)
Thursdays: $16,000 Flurries of Free Play Live racing 1:30 p.m.
Fridays: Steak Night Live Entertainment in Pop’s Lounge 5-8 p.m. & 9 p.m.-1 a.m. (See below for schedule) Live racing 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Live Entertainment in Pop’s Lounge 5-8 p.m. & 9 p.m.-1 a.m. (See below for schedule) Live racing 1 p.m.
Live Entertainment Schedule:
Jan. 1 & 2: John Calvin Brewer (Fri.)/Christine DeMeo & Cassie Ford (Sat.) (5-8 p.m. Pop’s Lounge)/Moxie (10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Silks)
Jan. 8 & 9: Parker Francis (Fri.)/Jackie B & Me (Sat.) (5-8 p.m. Pop’s Lounge)/Salt & Pepper (10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Silks)
Jan. 15 & 16: Jocko (5-8 p.m. Pop’s Lounge)/MayDay by Midnight (10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Silks)
Jan. 22 & 23: Brent & Tara (Fri.)/Underground Famous (Sat.) (5-8 p.m. Pop’s Lounge)/The John Calvin Brewer Band (10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Silks)
Jan. 29 & 30: David Ball (Fri.)/Fire and Brimstone (Sat.) (5-8 p.m. Pop’s Lounge)/Delta Donnie (10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Silks)
