Arkansas Derby Hat Contest 2026

• ELIGIBILITY
  • For the first three sessions, participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate and win.
  • For the fourth session, participants must be under 18 years of age to participate and win.
  • Contestant must be present to win.
  • Baseball hats, fedoras, logoed hats, will not be permitted.
  • Hats must be in good taste and not offensive.
  • Eligibility of hats will be determined by the judges.
  • Horsemen and others credentialed by the Arkansas State Racing Commission, employees or other agents of Oaklawn and their immediate families are ineligible.
• HOW TO ENTER

  Guests can pick up their contestant number at the Hat Contest tent in the infield from 11am-3pm, or until sessions are full.

• CONTEST
  • There will be three sessions.
    • The first session is at 1pm, the second session is at 2pm, the third session is at 3pm. A children's session will be held as soon as the last session is completed.
  • One entry per contestant.
  • Each session will have a maximum of 50 contestants.
    • Contestants will be numbered 1-50 (1^st session), 51-100 (2^nd session), and 101-150 (3^rd session). The children's session will be numbered 1-50 (4^th session).
  • The top three contestants from each session will win prizes.
• JUDGING CRITERIA
  • Representatives of Oaklawn will select a 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place winner from each session.
  • There will be a minimum of three judges.
  • Places will be considered based on the hat’s creativity, originality, and overall appearance.
• PRIZES

  Contest winners from each session will receive the following prizes:

  1st place

  • Winner’s Sash & Trophy, Dinner for 2 at the Bugler, $100 Oaklawn Gift Card, $75 Mutuel Voucher

  2nd place

  • Winner’s Sash, $75 Oaklawn Gift Card, $50 Mutuel Voucher

  3rd place

  • Winner’s Sash, $50 Oaklawn Gift Card, $25 Mutuel Voucher

  CHILDREN'S SESSION PRIZES

  1st place

  • Winner’s Sash & Trophy and $50 cash

  2nd place

  • Winner’s Sash and $50 cash

  3rd place

  • Winner’s Sash and $50 cash
• TIES AND NO SHOWS

  TIES

  • Each judge will cast a vote on the winning hats.
  • The hat with the most votes from the judges will win the tie breaker for that session.

  NO-SHOWS

  • If a finalist does not arrive or arrives after the contest begins, the hat contest will continue with the other finalists.
  • No replacement names will be called.

  DISCLAIMER
  In the case of inclement weather, the contest will be moved inside to the north end of the building on the first floor, near the Oaklawn Jockey Club elevator. The decision will be made by Oaklawn Marketing by 11am.