Oaklawn Park opens its Racing Festival of the South on Saturday with the running of the Grade 3, $600,000 Fantasy, which is a points race for the Kentucky Oaks, and the $200,000 Purple Martin. The festival this year will run over the first three Saturdays in April.

Oaklawn announced on social media Saturday that it is opening up additional seating for the meet starting with the card of April 8. Reservations are required for grandstand seating. The track has had seating limited to boxes, restaurants and the Jockey Club this season due to the ongoing pandemic. Oaklawn recently began opening its infield, which is starting to receive revelers for Saturday. 

The track is fast and the sun is out on a morning in the 50s. A number of prospects for Festival races worked here Saturday, including champion Whitmore, who went a half-mile in company first set. Trainer Ron Moquett said he was pleased with the move, which went in 48 seconds, as the horse continues preparations for the Count Fleet. It will will run on the same card as the Arkansas Derby on April 10. (A video clip of the work is at the Instagram account @maryrampellini.) Here's a complete list of works from Saturday. 

Click here for entries and scratches, with the most notable Sun Path from the Fantasy

Preview of the Fantasy and Purple Martin 

Festival overview with trainer Brad Cox 

Festival news from trainer Bret Calhoun

More news on Festival from trainer Terry Eoff 

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