2009 PROMOTIONS SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, OPENING DAY
Corned Beef Sandwiches for 50 cents – The enormously popular reduced price of Oaklawn’s signature sandwich, the Corned Beef Sandwich, will take place on Friday of the opening weekend of racing action. Not only will fans get to see some fast three-year-olds in the traditional opening day feature, the $50,000 Dixieland Stakes, but they will also get to enjoy another great tradition, the delicious Corned Beef Sandwich, at the special bargain of just 50 cents each. This has become a very popular opening weekend special since 2004 and there will be plenty of corned beef consumed on that day. Soft drinks will also be offered at 10 cents for the January 16 opening day event. First post time on Friday, Saturday and Monday of opening weekend will be 1:00 p.m. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and the Instant Racing/Gaming Room will remain open for play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 3:00 a.m. the following morning.
MONDAY, JANUARY 19, MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., DAY
Get your FREE Curlin Bobble Horse!! A special day of racing completes our four-day opening weekend and it will be highlighted by the Smarty Jones Stakes, our first distance race for Arkansas Derby-bound three-year-olds and the free Curlin Bobble Horse, honoring the most successful money-winner of all times in American racing and victor in both the 2007 Rebel and Arkansas Derby. (One per customer with paid admission. While supplies last)
FEBRUARY 16, PRESIDENTS DAY
Presidents Day $55,000 Cash Giveaway and the $250,000 Southwest Stakes. Be on hand to participate in the large cash giveaway that highlights the national holiday. After the first race the prize will be $1,000. After the second race, $2,000. And the amount increases by $1,000 with each race, climaxing with the 10th race and a cash prize of $10,000!! You must be here to win, but everyone comes to the races on Presidents Day, so you’ll have plenty of company. The featrure race on Presidents Day is the $250,000 Southwest Stakes, the first major step at Oaklawn leading to the Triple Crown Classics of the Spring. In just the last five years Southwest winners like Smarty Jones, Lawyer Ron and Denis of Cork have made a major mark on the national three-year-old scene. Not only will you have a chance to win some big money in the Cash Giveaway, but you’ll also see some of the budding superstar three-year-olds in action. There is a special first post time of 1:00 p.m. on that day.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Hot Springs Village Day – The annual day celebrating the many patrons of Oaklawn who reside in Hot Springs Village, the retirement community north of Hot Springs. Admission, seating, parking, and programs are provided to Hot Springs Village patrons.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
The Great Boat and Truck Giveaway and the $300,000 Rebel Stakes –The popular Boat and Truck Giveaway returns once again. This year one lucky fan will ride away with a Tahoe I/O Deckboat from Bradford Marine and a beautiful quality pickup truck to haul it to the water. Plus this is also the day of the $300,000 Rebel Stakes, the final critical step for three-year-olds prior to the Arkansas Derby.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Opening Day of the 36th Racing Festival of the South. Million Dollar Saturday will hold the imagination of the American racing public and this year it will introduce the Infield Racing Festival of the South. Oaklawn’s popular infield area will be open to the public on both Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, featuring a boat show sponsored by Bradford Marine. Patrons may register on Saturday for a beautiful Party Barge, which will be given away to a lucky patron on hand on Sunday.
Meanwhile racing fans will see the finest older horses in the land do battle in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap, for older horses at a mile-and-an-eighth, and the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap, for older fillies and mares at a mile-and-a-sixteenth. Last year such standouts as champion Zenyatta and the brilliant Tiago provided stirring performances in the most memorable races of the season. On Sunday the feature will be the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes, which last year allowed fans to watch the ill-fated, but sensational record-setting filly Eight Belles score a memorable win.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
Instant Racing/Gaming ATV Giveaway – Players using their Winners Circle Club cards for racing or gaming will be eligible to earn entries in the giveaway of a Spyder, 3-
Wheel Roadster to one lucky contestant. The vehicle will be on display for all fans to see well in advance off the giveaway day. On Friday, April 10, the names of finalists will be drawn throughout the afternoon. You must be present to win. For further information, contact the Instant Racing/Gaming Information Booth on the south end of the first floor of the grandstand.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, ARKANSAS DERBY DAY
The Arkansas Derby will once again have a purse of $1,000,000 and highlight the closing day of the season. The meet’s largest crowd will be on hand to witness the best three-year-olds inAmerica in the mile-and-an-eighth Arkansas Derby. This race has served as the launching pad for such nationally-renowned runners as Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Lawyer Ron and Curlin to etch their spots into the list of Eclipse Award winning champions. From there it’s on to the Triple Crown and fans will want to see their selections race in person. Annually the Arkansas Derby Day program is all distance races, including the popular Trails End, for claiming-level horses at one mile-and-three-quarters, the longest race of the year. The infield area will be open for all festivities on Friday and Saturday of closing weekend. There is a special first post time of 12:00 Noon on Saturday.