The new season of racing began Friday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
Racing began with the Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds.
The highlight of the season will be the Arkansas Derby on Saturday, March 29, which will carry a $1.5 million purse.
The Arkansas Derby winner usually qualifies for the Kentucky Derby.
Three Arkansas Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby: Sunny’s Halo in 1983, Smarty Jones in 2004, and American Pharoah in 2015. American Pharoah also won the Triple Crown.
People have been racing horses at the spot where Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort now stands since before the Civil War.
This news appeared first on @40 29 news
