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Oaklawn ParkLive Oaklawn Park Odds from Bodog Racebook
Oaklawn Park Facts: Oaklawn Park has a long history with horse racing that started back on February 24, 1905. It was on this day that Oaklawn horse racing came alive before an awestruck crowd of some 3,000 horse racing fans. It was such a big deal in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that Mayor John Belding declared a half-holiday for the whole city. A horse named Duelist, who was owned by America's 1912 and 1914 champion, John W. Schorr, won the very first race at Oaklawn Park. 1907 was a special year at Oaklawn Park. That was a time when only six races were run per day. During a four day span in February, between the 20th and 23rd, super jockey Herman Radtke won 16 out of 24 races. As you can imagine, it was a great accomplishment. In a funny twist, Herman Radtke returned to Oaklawn Park in the 1940's as a pari-mutuels clerk. Unfortunately, in this same year a political battle heated up and Oaklawn Park was forced to close its doors. It was a sad day for Oaklawn Park and its horseracing fans. In 1916, with political problems solved, happy days were here again as the track opened. The original owners of Oaklawn Park had died, but horse racing must go on. The new owner of Oaklawn Park was Louis Cella. In 1917, a powerhouse of a horse named Old Rosebud graced the track at Oaklawn Park. Old Rosebud was the 1914 winning of the famous and widely respected Kentucky Derby. Much to the delight of the crowd, the highly anticipated race also featured Pan Zareta, who was one of the greatest mares in America - over 75 wins. Pan Zareta was a record setting mare throughout the country. The race went off without a hitch and it was mighty Pan Zareta winning by a head of Colonel Vennie. Kentucky Derby winner, Old Rosebud, finished third. However, Old Rosebud would get the better of Pan Zareta in a meeting later in the year. More recently, Oaklawn Park celebrated its centennial year and the horse racing was outstanding. Track president, Charles J. Cella, called it "the most exciting season we've ever had." The season featured well-known Smarty Jones. Smarty Jones owned the Oaklawn Park racetrack sweeping the Arkansas Derby and other races. It was the first glimpse at greatness. Smarty Jones went on to boldly capture the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. He quickly became a household name in America. Once again proving that horse racing is on the rise, attendance for the year at Oaklawn Park rose over 4%. 2004 was a magical year in horse race betting and all horse racing venues benefited from it. Horse racing is held over four months at Oaklawn Park. The horse racing action continues over four beautiful months in Arkansas - January, February, March and April. The season ends with the now-famous Arkansas Derby. The Arkansas Derby has become a featured event in the horse racing world. It's considered by many to be the most important prep to the run for the Triple Crown. The purse is a very cool one million dollars. Don't miss another great horse racing wager, because your racebook doesn't offer wagering on the track you want. Open up the whole horse racing world by creating your Bodog account right now - the winning starts now! 
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