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Originally Posted by eurobounce
Kudos to Oaklawn for upping their purses for the 2007 meet which runs from Jan 19 - April 14th. There is an article in bloodhorse about the increase in purses. But I will paraphrase here. The minimum claiming race is $11,000 and the MSW is going to be $32,000. The AVG daily purse is going to be $290,000. This is by far going to be more attractive than Gulfstream to some horsemen. Granted the weather prob isnt as nice, but I think it has more to offer than Gulfstream. Now I have never been to Oaklawn but I hear it is real nice. Sounds like they are doing great job.
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It sounds and looks as if Oaklawn is definitely headed in the right direction. I really believe the quality of racing stock down there has improved over the last couple of years as well. On another note, I really don't think that it will be long before the Arkansas Derby becomes a GI either. The quality of horses coming out of that race is fantastic. Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, and Lawyer Ron...I see a trend! The purse is already 1 million. I just don't see why it hasn't become a Grade I yet?
If someone does know the answer to why it hasn't, please inform me.