A free berth to the GI Preakness S. and the winner's share of $300,000 is on the line for the inaugural running of the Oaklawn Invitational to be held May 4 at Oaklawn Park.
“We're very happy to partner with Oaklawn Park on this unique initiative,” said Maryland Jockey Club President and General Manager Sal Sinatra. “We believe this provides racing fans across the world an opportunity to see a promising, and possibly late-developing, young horse run against the winner of the Kentucky Derby and other top horses exiting the Derby.”
The Oaklawn Invitational, which is restricted to 3-year-olds, will be held at 1 1/8 miles two weeks prior to the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, which will be held this year May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.
“Our hope from the beginning was that the Oaklawn Invitational would serve as a prep for the Preakness or Belmont Stakes, so we are excited by this announcement from the Maryland Jockey Club,” said Oaklawn General Manager Wayne Smith. “As a result, we are happy to announce we have raised the purse of the race from $250,000 to $300,000. We are thankful the Maryland Jockey Club recognizes our race's potential. The Arkansas Derby has had a long, successful history of producing Preakness winners from Elocutionist to Oxbow.”
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