Oaklawn's 2025 Thoroughbred racing season opened emphatically, with strong attendance, record wagering, and memorable on-track milestones highlighting an exceptional opening weekend. Total attendance for the three-day opening weekend reached 36,750, highlighted by 15,000 fans on Friday and 19,000 on Saturday, both increases over last year's opening Friday (13,000) and Saturday (15,500). Sunday's attendance totaled 2,750.
Wagering activity was equally impressive, thanks to competitive racing that saw an average field size of over 10 runners per race. Oaklawn recorded its largest cumulative opening weekend handle since December racing began, with nearly $21 million wagered. By comparison, the last time Oaklawn raced a Friday--Sunday opening weekend (2022--2023 season), total handle was approximately $15.5 million. Sunday handle alone increased 37 percent compared to the previous opening weekend Sunday during the 2023 meet (December 11, 2022).
New and returning wager offerings proved especially popular among horseplayers:
Early Pick 5: Average handle of $240,812 with an average payout of $13,522.40
Late Pick 5: Average handle of $277,455.67 with an average payout of $19,390.48
Late Pick 4: Average handle of $197,469.33 with an average payout of $2,827.23
NEW—$3 Get Out Pick 3 (15% reduced takeout): Average handle of $111,544 with an average payout of $4,840
NEW—$5 Late Daily Double (15% reduced takeout): Average handle of $115,465.67 with an average payout of $924.83
RETURN—Classix Pick 6: A triple carryover of $45,113 heading into Friday, December 19
The opening weekend also produced significant racing milestones across the Oaklawn community. Forty jockeys competed, with 15 riders earning at least one win, led by Ramon Vazquez and Cristian Torres, who each recorded five victories. One hundred and three trainers saddled at least one horse, and 23 trainers won races, paced by Mark Casse and Kenny McPeek with three wins each. Two hundred forty-one owners were represented, with 28 owners earning victories, including Tom Durant and John Holleman, who led owners with two wins each.
A historic highlight came on Friday when John Ed Anthony recorded his 300th career Oaklawn victory. Anthony's first Oaklawn win came on February 16, 1972. He became the track's all-time leading owner on February 26, 2022, and was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Racing under Loblolly Stable and later Shortleaf Stables, Anthony has been a cornerstone of Oaklawn's rich racing tradition for more than five decades.
Saturday's action extended beyond the racetrack with Oaklawn's popular Corned Beef Sandwich promotion, which resulted in a sellout of nearly 6,000 sandwiches, underscoring the festive atmosphere throughout the property.
"We're thrilled with the energy and the enthusiasm our fans brought to opening weekend," said Louis A. Cella, President of Oaklawn. "From record wagering to strong attendance and historic milestones on the track, this weekend sets the tone for what could be another season filled with record-breaking moments. Our team is focused on delivering a world-class racing experience, and the opening weekend showed just how much excitement lies ahead."
Oaklawn's 2025 racing season continues Friday, with momentum building toward another memorable meet at one of America's most storied racetracks.
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