HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Oaklawn is officially opened for its 23-24 racing season!
This season for Oaklawn features the largest purse increase in the track's 119-year history, from $50 million to $60 million.
As Oaklawn’s racing season kicks off, they’re introducing fans to new voices both on and off the track.
Matt Dinerman is Oaklawn’s new Track Announcer.
“I’ve been calling for 8-9 years and loving every minute of it since day one,” Matt Dinerman, Oaklawn’s new track announcer said.
Crystal Conning is also a new voice added to the Oaklawn roster. She joins the team as the newest Paddock Analyst.
“I'll be co-hosting the pre-race show with Nancy Holtus and Matt Dinerman,” Crystal Conning, Oaklawn Paddock Analyst said. “Then I’ll be reporting from the paddock area where the horses are being settled and getting ready for the race.”
Both Dinerman and Conning have extensive resumes, making them a great fit for their job at hand.
However, Conning is used to being on the track.
“I'm actually a professional jockey and I only stopped riding earlier this year,” Conning said.
A surprising feat, Conning rode her apprentice year in Kentucky.
“I was lucky enough to win a couple of races at Churchill Downs, which is pretty exciting for any rider,” Conning said.
Conning and Dinerman both begin their role just as the season opens.
“I’ll be focusing on anything of note, maybe horses acting bad, maybe a horse looks good that we haven't considered, things like that to give the bettors a little bit more real time information,” Conning said.
For Dinerman, as the track announcer, there’s plenty of homework that goes into being the voice of the track.
“There's a lot of prep work that goes into memorizing these horses,” Dinerman said. “My job is to be accurate, call the race as I see it, describe it well and hopefully paint a picture for the listeners as to what is happening on the track.”
While Dinerman’s always excited to be in the announcer's box, Oaklawn is the place he wants to be.
“Oaklawn park is a top destination,” Dinerman said. “Not only is it some of the best winter racing in the country, but it's the best racing in the country period.”
This 2023-2024 Oaklawn racing season is one Dinerman and Conning are ready to be immersed in.
“Our meet is going to be sensational, our purses, our prize money have never been higher,” Dinerman said. “We're giving out $900,000 a day on average in purse winnings which is absolutely unheard of in any track at this time of the year.”
For Conning, continuing what she loves in a new way is the highlight.
“I just love everything about racing,” Conning said. “It's just something I’ve always loved and I think I always will.”