Oaklawn opens Friday

Live racing returns to Oaklawn Park on Friday and the Hot Springs, Arkansas

track will feature a 12 percent purse increase over the 2015 meet. Last year was

a season to remember at Oaklawn as Triple Crown winner American Pharoah shipped

in for both of his prep races, recording convincing wins in the Arkansas Derby

(G1) and Rebel (G2).

The $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 16 once again

highlights a $7.5 million stakes schedule and the $100,000 Dixie Belle for

3-year-old fillies is the opening-day feature.

The NTRA, DRF and NTWAB announced Tuesday that Michael Clevenger has won

a

2015 Media Eclipse Award for his photo of American Pharoah earning the first

Triple Crown in 37 years in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

John Mucciolo covers California Chrome's successful return, Collected's

victory in the Sham (G3) and more in the weekly

Santa Anita Notebook.

Also at the Twin Spires blog, Ed DeRosa and Vance Hanson give their take on

California Chrome and Oaklawn Park's opening in

Turf Talk.