There will be a notable change in the stewards' stand when the Oaklawn Park meet opens on Friday. The track's general manager, Wayne Smith, said longtime Oaklawn steward Larry Snyder is taking a break from the stand. 

"Larry Snyder is going to take a sabbatical this year," Smith said Friday. "We will have Rick Sackett as the third steward." 

Sackett had been clerk of scales at Oaklawn. Snyder is a former jockey. 

Oaklawn will have a few special events leading up to the opener Friday. The track announced that on Wednesday night Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O'Neill and Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens will serve as keynote speakers during a meet kick-off banquet sponsored by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. The event is at 6 p.m. at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock. 

Oaklawn also announced that on Thursday morning there will be an unveiling of a bronze statue of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The event will start at 11 am. at the grandstand entrance.