Oaklawn Racing

Oaklawn president donates $500,000 to Razorback Foundation

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort President Louis Cella has donated $500,000 to the Razorback Foundation at the University of Arkansas and is challenging other businesses to contribute to the foundation.

Cella, a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law, said in a statement that “these are tough financial times for college sports,” and the foundation is no exception.

“They are competing in the toughest conference in the nation, and regularly going up against schools with far greater resources,” said Cella. “If the Razorbacks are going to remain competitive, it’s going to take backing from all of us. … I realize this doesn’t solve the financial crunch for U of A athletics.  But if more Arkansas businesses will consider pitching in too, it will be a huge step in the right direction for Razorback nation.”

Oaklawn president donates $500,000 to Razorback Foundation

Gulfside makes new Pope County casino pitch

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The Gulfside Casino Partnership is hoping its broad $405 million plan for a Pope County casino will be enough to get a resolution of support from the county’s Quorum Court. But Pope County Judge Ben Cross isn’t confident Gulfside can deliver.

Pope County Quorum Court members will hear a proposal from Gulfside on June 6. It is the latest in an almost five-year history of legal wrangling between Gulfside and a competing casino proposal from Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB).

Amendment 100 was approved in 2018 by Arkansas voters. It established The Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment, which requires the Racing Commission to issue licenses to Oaklawn Jockey Club in Hot Springs, Southland Racing Corporation in West Memphis, and entities in Pope County and Jefferson County. Casinos in three counties are operational: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis and Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.

Gulfside makes new Pope County casino pitch

Rendering of proposed Gulfside casino in Pope County

Arkansas Derby to be held Saturday at Oaklawn ahead of Kentucky Derby

KUAR | By Laura Jansen , Michael Hibblen

The 86th Arkansas Derby will be held Saturday at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Spring. The annual qualifying race is the fourth and final race of Oaklawn’s prep series for the Kentucky Derby.

The participants will be able to win qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. First place will receive 100 points, second place 40 points, third place 20 points and fourth place will earn 10 points. The winner will also receive $1.25 million.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-03-29/arkansas-derby-to-be-held-saturday-at-oaklawn-ahead-of-kentucky-derby

Brandonrush/Flickr

The finish line of the 2013 Arkansas Derby, which was won by Overanalyze.