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Arkansas Derby Boosted to $1.25M, Date Changed for ’22

Oaklawn announced Tuesday that the purse for the 2022 GI Arkansas Derby has been increased to $1.25 million and will be contested Saturday, Apr. 2. The date shift is a departure from the traditional three weeks before the Kentucky Derby and the increased purse makes the race the richest event among Derby preps. In 2022, Oaklawn will offer a record 36 stakes worth $12.3 million. In addition to the Arkansas Derby, three stakes will carry million dollar purses and 15 other stakes will offer purses ranging from $200,000 up to $750,000. Every stakes race will have at least a $150,000 purse. With the shift in the track's racing calendar that now begins in December, Oaklawn will stage its first 2-year-old stakes since 1973–the Advent S. On opening day, Friday, Dec. 3.

“When we launched our $100 million expansion program two years ago, we said our goal was to take Oaklawn to a new level of excellence,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “Historically, Oaklawn's 3-year-old series has offered the most Kentucky Derby qualifying points of any track in the country. With the extra timing between races and added purse money, we believe Oaklawn will only grow as 'the' place to prepare for the Triple Crown races.”

The new date of the Arkansas Derby will have a ripple effect on Oaklawn's other major 3-year old races. The $1,000,000 GII Rebel S. will be run Saturday, Feb. 26, the $750,000 GIII Southwest S. is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29. The Smarty Jones S. will kick off the series on New Year's Day with a purse that has been increased by $100,000 to $250,000.

Highlighting the older horse divisions, the GII Oaklawn H. and GI Apple Blossom H., will both offer a $1-million purse. The are both scheduled for Apr. 23. Also slated for older horses during the meet are the $150,000 Fifth Season S. Jan. 15, GIII Razorback H. Feb. 12 and the $500,000 Essex H. Mar. 19. For older fillies and mares, Oaklawn has added the $150,000 Pippin S. Jan. 8, $250,000 GIII Bayakoa S. Feb. 5 and the Mar. 12 $350,000 GII Azeri S.

The Arkansas-bred program will feature six stakes races after the addition of the $150,000 Natural State Breeders' S. for 3-year-old fillies and older at one mile May 6. The highlight of the series is the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles May 7.

The 2021-2022 Oaklawn live meet runs Friday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, May 8. There is no racing Dec. 24-26 for Christmas or Apr. 17 for Easter.

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Oaklawn Boosts Arkansas Derby Purse To $1.25 Million, Shifts Race To April 2

Oaklawn will dramatically impact the 2022 Triple Crown trail by making two major changes to the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby – boosting the purse to $1.25 million and moving the date to Saturday, April 2. The date shift is a departure from the traditional three weeks before the Kentucky Derby and the increased purse makes the race the richest event among Derby preps.

All total, Oaklawn is planning a record 36 stakes worth $12.3 million. In addition to the Arkansas Derby, three stakes will carry million dollar purses and 15 other stakes will offer purses ranging from $200,000 up to $750,000. Every stakes race will have at least a $150,000 purse. With the historic shift in the track's racing calendar that now begins in December, Oaklawn will stage its first 2-year-old stakes since 1973 – the Advent Stakes on opening day, Friday, Dec. 3.

“When we launched our $100 million expansion program two years ago, we said our goal was to take Oaklawn to a new level of excellence,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “When you look at next season's stakes schedule, that includes five new stakes, you can see that is exactly what we are doing.”

The new positioning of the Arkansas Derby on the racing calendar will have a ripple effect on Oaklawn's other major 3-year old races. The $1,000,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) will be run on Saturday, Feb. 26. The $750,000 Southwest (G3) will be run Saturday, Jan. 29. The Smarty Jones Stakes will kick off the series on New Year's Day with a purse that has been increased by $100,000 to $250,000.

“Historically, Oaklawn's 3-year-old series has offered the most Kentucky Derby qualifying points of any track in the country,” Cella said. “With the extra timing between races and added purse money, we believe Oaklawn will only grow as 'the' place to prepare for the Triple Crown races.”

“Oaklawn has such a wonderful racing history going back 117 years,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “When racing begins on December 3, fans will get to experience our new hotel overlooking the race track, a world class spa, new event center, and endless casino action. There has never been a more exciting time at Oaklawn.”

Older horses and older fillies and mares will also benefit from rich series leading up to the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), respectively, on Saturday, April 23. Prior to the Oaklawn Handicap, older horses will have the $150,000 Fifth Season on Jan. 15, $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) on Feb. 12, and the $500,000 Essex Handicap on March 19. The opportunities for older fillies and mares prior to the Apple Blossom include the $150,000 Pippin Stakes on Jan. 8, $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) on Feb. 5, and the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) on March 12.

The Arkansas-bred program continues to be one of the richest state-bred programs in the country and will now feature six stakes races after the addition of the $150,000 Natural State Breeders' Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and older at one mile on Friday, May 6. The highlight of the series is the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on May 7.

The 2021-2022 Oaklawn live meet runs Friday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, May 8. There is no racing Dec. 24 – 26 for Christmas or April 17 for Easter.

The post Oaklawn Boosts Arkansas Derby Purse To $1.25 Million, Shifts Race To April 2 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Charlatan Retired to Hill ‘n’ Dale

Multiple Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Charlatan (Speightstown) has been retired from racing and will take up stud duty at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, Hill 'n' Dale announced Thursday.

Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, the imposing chestnut, out of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff-placed Authenticity (Quiet American), sold as the second-highest priced colt for his sire at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale at $700,000. Purchased by SF Bloodstock/Starlight West, the colt raced for owners SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Frederick Hertrich, III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables.

Charlatan showed his brilliance on debut when running away to a 5 3/4-length victory, earning his 'Rising Star status'. He later romped in the GI Arkansas Derby and GI Runhappy Malibu S. before suffering his lone defeat when running second in the Saudi Cup in his final start. He retires with a record of 5-4-1-0 and earnings of $4,047,200; his four wins were by a combined 26 1/2 lengths.

“Horses with Charlatan's immense ability combined with superior pedigree, conformation, depth of female family and star-quality appeal are a very rare commodity,” said John G. Sikura, President of Hill 'n' Dale. “He is one of the most talented horses I have seen run who combines world class sprinter/miler speed with the ability to carry it around two turns. He is a striking individual who should impart size, substance, balance, and brilliance to his foals. It is an honor to have Charlatan set the standard of excellence as the first stallion whose career we launch here at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.”

“We're very proud of everything Charlatan accomplished in his brief but brilliant career: He's one of the most perfect physical specimens to come to stud in recent times and there's no doubt he will be supported accordingly. On behalf of the SF racing partners we wish John and the team at Hill 'n' Dale the very best,” said managing partner Tom Ryan.

A stud fee will be announced at a later time. Charlatan will arrive at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa this Friday, June 25 at 11:30 a.m. Any members of the press wishing to attend should call the Hill 'n' Dale office at 859-255-8290.

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Charlatan To Get Time Off At Margaux Farm; Future Plans Uncertain

Trainer Bob Baffert's multiple Grade 1 winner Charlatan has been sidelined, reports the Daily Racing Form. The 4-year-old son of Speightstown did not exit his May 15 breeze at Churchill in good form, and has been sent to Margaux Farm in Midway, Ky.

“Charlatan wasn't 100 percent after his most recent breeze on May 15,” co-owner Sol Kumin told DRF. “Under veterinary advice he will get some time off and a decision on his racing career will be determined upon reevaluation late June.”

Charlatan had been aimed at the G1 Met Mile at Belmont Park on June 5, but the New York Racing Association temporarily suspended Baffert-trained runners due to the trainer's multiple positive tests over the past year, as well as the ongoing Medina Spirit/Kentucky Derby controversy.

Winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby (initially disqualified for a lidocaine positive, but restored as the winner by the racing commission last month) and G1 Malibu Stakes, Charlatan ran second to Mishriff in the $20 million Saudi Cup in his only start of 2021.