Stakes: Grade II for 3-year-old thoroughbreds and fillies
Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Track: Dirt
Purse: $1,000,000
The Racing Festival of the South culminates with the annual Arkansas Derby race. Horse racing fans are eager to see if the next Oaklawn Park champ will finally bring home the Triple Crown trophy.
The 2024 Arkansas Derby taking place on March 30th,is an iconic Grade I race etched in the annals of horse racing history. Steeped in tradition and renowned for catapulting champions onto the global stage,is more than just a race—it's a legacy.
Originating in 1936 with a modest purse of $5,000, the Arkansas Derby has evolved into a crucial race in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. Its centenary celebration in 2004 birthed a $5 million bonus challenge, achieved only by the illustrious Smarty Jones, igniting a new era of interest and participation in this thrilling contest.
This hallowed ground has witnessed the rise of legends. From Sunny's Halo in 1983 to the majestic American Pharoah in 2015, winners here have scripted triumphs beyond the Arkansas Derby's bounds. American Pharoah's crowning glory as the 12th Triple Crown winner stands as a testament to this race's caliber and prestige.
As contenders thunder down the Oaklawn Park track, each stride echoes the dreams and aspirations of horse racing aficionados. A showcase of speed, strategy, and sheer determination, this 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) dirt race tests the mettle of the finest three-year-old Thoroughbreds.