Oaklawn Park

Oaklawn Park has a history rich with growth, innovation, and reputation, chiefly for displaying one of the world's finest Thoroughbred competitions. A top tourist attraction in the State of Arkansas, the place garners patronage from across the mid-South with its live and simulcast events.

The park has modern, comfy facilities for its patrons, a huge financial war chest, and an improved stakes structure for horsemen.

Oaklawn is coined from the name of the rural community hosting the park. The area, in turn, borrowed its name from what an early settler known as Peter LaPatourel called his home--a large stand where once stood ancient oak trees.

Designed by Zachary Taylor Davis in 1904, the glass-enclosed grandstand is among the first of its kind in the United States; at that time it could seat 1,500 people. A half-work-free day was declared in the state when the park was launched to about 3000 race fanatics.

Oaklawn Park maintains one of the most successful and innovative simulcast operations in America, usually between April and January when fans come for a Las Vegas-style concept on the grandstand’s first floor.

Events at Oaklawn Park

Racing Festival of the South, North America’s most prestigious horse racing week, is the highlight of Oaklawn meets. It is a major-stakes event backed by no less than $100,000 and is held every day until the close of the festival.

Other events that take place alongside are the $1 million Arkansas Derby, the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap, the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for mares and fillies, the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes, and the $250,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap.

One of Oaklawn City’s premier events, Taste of Oaklawn Park offers an extensive restaurant tasting experience in a downtown area, with a strong focus on the venue’s surrounding eateries. It pays tribute to local cuisines, dining cultures, and culinary entrepreneurs. This year’s edition will be held February 23, 2024.

On March 9, 2024, the city will celebrate another monument, Youth Day, an outdoor event that will feature Broward County’s elected official-led parade show, local schools, athletics, live music, and community groups.

Another major city event of the park’s busy roster, Dancing in the Street will be held on April 5, 2024.

Parking and transportation

There are various ways to get to Oaklawn Park. If you want to do so by bus, transport services operated by Broward County Transit and other transit agencies pass through near the venue.

Should you choose to go by train, tri-rail offers commuting in South Florida. But since they are not stationed directly in the park, you might have to take a train to a nearby station and board a bus or cab to reach your destination.

If you opt to drive there, you can use GPS navigation to find the best routes. Oaklawn Park is accessible via major highways like I-95 and I-595.

Three parking lots are available at the track. They cost only $2 but can quickly become full. Alternatives are on Central Avenue and Henderson Street, where several residents operate exclusive parking lots close to their houses.