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Oaklawn Cancels Races For Second Straight Weekend; Stakes Rescheduled Feb. 25-28

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ak. has been forced to cancel racing for the second straight weekend due to extreme winter weather conditions, according to the Daily Racing Form. The track's graded stakes races originally scheduled for Feb. 13-15, including the G3 Southwest, Bayakoa, and Razorback, have been rescheduled for Feb. 25-28.

Races are officially canceled from Thursday, Feb. 18, through Sunday, Feb. 21.

Oaklawn last raced on Feb. 11.

The Hot Springs area has been hit with several inches of snow so far, and the forecast is calling for another six to 10 inches in the coming days.

Oaklawn Cancels Weekend Races Due To Winter Storm; Graded Stakes Rescheduled To Feb. 20

Due to the predicted winter weather expected in Hot Springs over the next few days, Oaklawn is canceling its extended Presidents' Day weekend, Saturday, Feb. 13 – Monday, Feb. 15, and is rescheduling the three graded stakes and one listed stakes.

The $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3), $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3), and $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) will now be run Saturday, Feb. 20 and the $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes and $150,000 Downthedustyroad Stakes will be run Sunday, Feb. 21.

“The weather forecast does not look promising this weekend between the ice and frigid temperatures, so out of consideration for the safety of the horses, our horsemen and fans, we wanted to make this call as soon as possible,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “We appreciate the cooperation we have received from our horsemen and Racing Commission. Though we are frustrated Mother Nature has thrown us a curveball, our rescheduled stakes will create a spectacular weekend of racing next week.”

Oaklawn expects to run the Thursday and Friday cards as scheduled. Post time is at 1 p.m. on both days. The casino and simulcast racing will remain open all weekend. No reservations will be required for seating in the simulcast area this weekend only, first come, first served.

Entries for the Saturday, Feb. 20 card will be taken on Sunday, Feb. 14. Oaklawn will run 11 races next Saturday and 10 races next Sunday.

All reservations made for Saturday, Feb. 13 – Monday, Feb. 15 have been cancelled. Fans wishing to attend the races Feb. 18 -21 must call 501-363-4660 starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15. Reservation lines are open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.Oaklawn.com.

The post Oaklawn Cancels Weekend Races Due To Winter Storm; Graded Stakes Rescheduled To Feb. 20 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Breeders’ Cup Winner Essential Quality Officially Booked For Southwest Stakes

Trainer Brad Cox told the Daily Racing Form on Tuesday that Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality will make his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 15. The other alternative had been the G2 Risen Star over nine furlongs at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 13, but the slightly shorter distance of the Southwest won out in the end.

“The right thing for him off the layoff would be the mile and a sixteenth,” Cox told drf.com.

The Godolphin homebred son of Tapit is undefeated in three career starts, and has been working steadily at the Fair Grounds since late December. Essential Quality is expected to be named the Champion 2-Year-Old of 2020 at Thursday's Eclipse Awards ceremony.