Jockey Joe Talamo, previously based in Southern California, has made a huge splash in his first season as an Oaklawn regular. Through Friday, the 37th day of the scheduled 57-day meeting, Talamo led all jockeys in stakes victories (six) and ranked second in purse earnings ($2,281,058).

An avid outdoorsman, Cecil Borel said he’s about to buy a new bass boat. Whether that payment comes out of his pocket, or from a financial windfall on the track, will be determined Saturday at Oaklawn when he sends out K J’s Nobility in the $100,000 Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes for Arkansas-bred sprinters.

For jockey Stewart Elliott, it’s the drive to five – as in 5,000.

Big Returns did just that in Sunday’s featured eighth race at Oaklawn, returning a whopping $125.20 to win after a 2 ½-length score in the first-level allowance/optional claiming sprint for 3-year-olds under Ramon Vazquez.

Tiny Slovak, Ark., is having a big impact on the jockey standings this year at Oaklawn. Kelsi Harr, raised in the unincorporated Grand Prairie farming community 55 miles east of Little Rock, had five victories through Saturday to lead all apprentice jockeys at the 57-day meeting that is scheduled to conclude May 2.

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, March 21, 2020) –B.C.W.T. Ltd’s Long Weekend did not disappoint the backers who made him the 6-5 favorite with his dominating gate to wire victory in Saturday’s $90,000 Gazebo Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters.

Jockey Luis Quinonez recorded his 600th career Oaklawn victory in Friday’s ninth race, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization. Quinonez reached the milestone aboard Warrior’s Map ($39.60) for trainer Larry Jones.

Eight was enough for trainer Reeve McGaughey. McGaughey, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, recorded his first career victory in Thursday’s seventh race at Oaklawn with Franknjymme ($7.20). It was his eighth career starter.

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Friday, March 20, 2020) – Oaklawn announced today that it is moving its signature race – the Arkansas Derby (G1) – from Saturday, April 11 to Saturday, May 2, closing day of the 2020 live meet. Due to the closing of the casino and racetrack to the public, Oaklawn could have raced with purses intact through April 18, but, upon discussions with the HBPA, decided instead to reduce purses across the board and “stay until May.” As a result, the Arkansas Derby purse will be reduced to $750,000.

Two high-profile horsemen praised Oaklawn for its decision to continue live racing as venues across the country close because of COVID-19.