It’s a great place to people watch or run in to people you may know. This area is always buzzing with activity. Once inside, I head to the second floor of the grandstand area. Visiting the paddock is a great way to be in close proximity to some of racing’s biggest stars, like Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel.Īlso near the main entrance: an opportunity to get an old-fashioned shoe shine in a shoe-shine stand. Right before the call to the post, people will be three and four deep around the fencing. If you wish to see the horses here before the race, go early. If you begin at Crosswalk Bar and Grill, he will be sitting on the bar selling his tip sheets there, and he will discuss the picks with you, which is a nice perk. One of my favorites is Silent Sam, a yellow tip sheet that has “Silence is Golden” emblazoned on it. If you decide to buy a tip sheet, I have two to recommend. Both entrances also have stands that sell programs and the tip sheets that make up Oaklawn’s healthy tout business. Slip a couple bills in the kettle for good race day karma. And across the street from this entrance sits another good option for either pre-gaming or post-gaming: Crosswalk Bar and Grill.Īt both of these track entrances, a Salvation Army bell ringer usually greets racetrackers. Here, my favorite feature is the horse and rider statue that is painted to match the most recent Arkansas Derby winner. The main entrance to the track is a little further down Central Avenue. These tickets can be purchased the day-of, or ahead of time. However, for the majority of the day, I prefer to be inside in the grandstand area. I always like to watch at least one race from the rail. A stop at this office is unnecessary if you wish to take advantage of several great common areas, including bleacher-style seating on the apron. This entrance is right by the ticket office. Both lots are a short walk to Rocky’s Corner, a popular pizza place to meet up pre-game.Ī track entrance slightly off the beaten path is across the street.

On the rare occasion his lot is full, I park with Coach Bryan next to his yellow home. Peake, a congenial older gentleman who has become a track friend. My first choice is to park in a lot next to a big white house with Mr. I usually approach Central Avenue and the track heading east on Henderson Street (it’s a one-way street) where several people operate private parking lots next to their homes.

The track has three parking lots (where parking is only $2), but they can fill up quickly. American Pharoah statue at Oaklawn (Sara Dacus)

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