KLRT – FOX16.com

Oaklawn ready for new season

HOT SPRINGS, AR — Horses at Oaklawn Racing get ready for another racing season.

“All the horses are gearing up for live racing starting next Friday. So they are going through their final workouts and training in hopes of racing next weekend,” said manager Jennifer Hoyt.

Local businesses anticipate an economic boost.

“We do hire a lot more staff just to be able to handle the influx of business to make sure when guest come, they can get in and out and they are fully satisfied,” said Rocky’s Corner manager Teddy Boykin.

Business owners and horse trainers hope this year’s opening weekend goes a lot better than last year’s. Winter weather caused managers to shut down the track for more than a week, losing valuable racing time and money. Trainers now hope mother nature brings sunshine.

“Right now, we are looking at having really good weather. Which will definitely impact how many people we have out here. We are looking at 20-25 thousand people opening day and throughout the four day opening weekend,” said Hoyt.