Rebel Stakes purse raised to $1 million for 2019

Oaklawn Park, which this year announced a significant change to its race dates, turned it up another notch July 18 by raising the purse of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes from $900,000 to $1 million for 2019.

The Rebel Stakes joins the Arkansas Derby (G1) with a seven-figure purse and the two races for three-year-olds will highlight a 57-day season that begins on January 25 and – for the first time in the 115-year history of the facility – extends past Arkansas Derby Day through May 4.

The Rebel, which had a $900,000 purse since 2016 and is the third of four races at Oaklawn that carry qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will be run on March 16. The Arkansas Derby will hold its traditional spot on the calendar on April 13, three weeks before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Oaklawn's three-year-old prep season begins on the opening day with the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes and also includes the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) on February 18.

In 2019 Oaklawn's racing season will extend three weeks after the Arkansas Derby for the first time when it hosts the new $250,000 Oaklawn Invitational for three-year-olds on closing day, May 4. A day earlier, Oaklawn will run the inaugural $200,000 Oaklawn Mile for four-year-olds and up.

"The Rebel Stakes has become a significant prep in its own right and warrants a $1 million purse with runners like Smarty Jones, Lookin At Lucky, Curlin, Oxbow, Will Take Charge, American Pharoah, and Creator," Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. "We're extremely proud to offer the richest and most proven path to the Triple Crown."

In addition to the Rebel, several other stakes are receiving purse increases in 2019, including the Fantasy Stakes (G3), which was increased by $100,000 to $500,000. The Fantasy – for three-year-old fillies on their way to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) – kicks off the Racing Festival of the South on April 12.

The Bayakoa Stakes (G3) for older fillies and mares was increased $50,000 to $200,000 and will now share the Presidents' Day card on February 18 with the $500,000 Southwest Stakes and $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3).

The Arkansas-bred program also gets richer. Joining the Oaklawn Invitational as the co-closing day feature is the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship, which will crown the Arkansas-bred champion.

"We couldn't be more excited about our new stakes and racing schedule," Cella said. "We are now able to present some of our best racing during the best time of the year weather-wise in Arkansas. While the Racing Festival of the South will remain the focal point of the season, we look forward to growing the new stakes races and providing our fans with world-class racing into May."

The Oaklawn season will once again be highlighted by the Racing Festival of the South, which runs April 12-14. The track's signature race, the $1 million Arkansas Derby, highlights an April 13 card that includes the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3). The $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares will move to April 14.

Overall the 2019 stakes schedule features 30 races worth $8.85 million.

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