The race track really affects business. it brings a lot of people in town which is a really good thing. It makes for a really good season for us with so many people that come through here,” Godoy said.
And if horse racing isn’t your thing, there’s now the option to sports bet, as well as a brand new addition to the casino.
“That’s what we want to be. We are Arkansas’s number one tourist destination.” ( oaklawn )
More than 20,000 head to Oaklawn for Opening Day 2020
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Friday was Opening Day at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and more than 20,000 people were there to kick off the 116th season of live racing.
To no surprise, Oaklawn was the place to be in Hot Springs this weekend, and the traffic is beneficial in more ways than one.
“There are very few places that embrace horse racing the way that Hot Springs does,” said Oaklawn Media Relations Manager, Jennifer Hoyt.
Even though horse racing popularity is on the decline across the country, Oaklawn is seeing quite the opposite.
“We have the richest racing of this time of year, and that’s why horsemen are coming in from places like California, New York, and the Midwest,” Hoyt said.
And that influx of tourists is not only seen inside the track.
“You have people coming from all over the country, not only that, you know, from people who are flown in from other countries,” said Jose Godoy, co-owner of Capo’s Tacos.
Capo’s Tacos is right across the street from the racetrack. This is only their second racing season, but the difference in revenue is clear at the start of the first race..
Make it Lane 