HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Oaklawn Park program for 3-year-olds is due a victory lap ahead of Friday’s season opener after it “hogged” the national spotlight this year with Arkansas-raced runners Mystik Dan winning the Kentucky Derby, Seize the Grey taking the Preakness, and Thorpedo Anna winning the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Mystik Dan prepped in three of Oaklawn’s four points races for the Kentucky Derby, a procession of races that this meet begins with the $250,000 Smarty Jones on Jan. 4 and continues with the Grade 3, $1 million Southwest on Jan. 25, the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel on Feb. 22, and the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on March 29. It’s a program – along with its counterpart for 3-year-old fillies – that has undergone some changes in recent years, led by the placement of the Arkansas Derby five weeks from the Kentucky Derby. The major shifts have come since Oaklawn moved to a December-to-May schedule four seasons ago, in December 2021. “We’ve had a concerted effort over the last several years to really grow the [series] and to have these horses do as well as they’ve done is a testament to our program,” said Lou Cella, president of Oaklawn. “It’s so exciting.” :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Cella said stretching the season made for new opportunities, among them the chance to both cater to developing 2-year-olds turning 3 and look at the spacing of preps. “It gives the trainer many, many options, and frankly that is a testament to our racing secretary, Pat Pope,” Cella said. “This was his idea. He said, ‘Look, if we can play with the calendar a little bit, we can give the trainers all sorts of options that ultimately will land at Oaklawn for a stepping-stone, pick your race, for the Kentucky Derby, or for the Triple Crown. “You can take your time and start in December and spread it out in January and February and March and then ultimately the first Saturday in May. We set it up deliberately to be conscious of the trainer’s efforts to truly manage their horse’s schedule.” Mystik Dan was fifth in the Smarty Jones with an excuse, won the Southwest, and was third in the Arkansas Derby before his dramatic win in the Kentucky Derby. He is Arkansas-owned, and the horse and his connections will be celebrated this meet on a date to be announced, Cella said. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2025: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more “It’s a great Arkansas story,” he said. “That’s going to be a really fun day.” Oaklawn has boosted the purse for the Southwest to $1 million this meet after it was worth $800,000 last season. The track also has increased the purses for two of its Kentucky Oaks points races, with the Martha Washington now worth $300,000 and the Grade 3 Honeybee boosted to $500,000. Overall, the track will offer 47 stakes worth more than $16.2 million. The key events for older horses are again the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap for fillies and mares April 12 and the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 19. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.