Arkansas Derby | History Lives in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas | Hot Springs National Park Arkansas

#HistoryLives explores the rich and often sordid history of Hot Springs, Arkansas! In this episode of History Lives our host Chuck Dodson unravels the history of the Arkansas Derby and the oldest horse racing track this side of the Mississippi River, Oaklawn Hot Springs!

Built in 1904, Oaklawn quickly became a hub for racing fans, and by 1934 Oaklawn was drawing crowds of over 8,000 for a single day of racing. Oaklawn soon became one of the premiere race tracks in the South, with the Arkansas Derby beginning in 1936 offering a $5,000 purse. Since its inception, the Arkansas Derby has produced eight Kentucky Derby winners including Sunny’s Halo (1983), Lil E. Tee (1992), Grindstone (1996), Super Saver (2010), Smarty Jones (2004), American Pharoah (2015), Country House (2019), and Mystik Dan (2024). Today, the Arkansas Derby offers a $1.5 million purse with visitors traveling far and wide for Oaklawn's live race meet!

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