Hot Springs won't host the horse of the year next month, but business owners still expect an Apple Blossom boost. One restaurant is planning on opening extra rooms for hungry customers.
Between vacationers and the First Ever Seventh Annual World's Shortest Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Penny Gargano is busy beefing up staff at Hot Spring's Belle Arti.
"I tell them to get a lot of rest, and we feed them very well so they'll have a lot of energy," says Gargano.
Because, there's also a little race April 9 you may have heard something about.
"I think a lot of people who were planning on spending that weekend, the Racing Festival of the South, with us probably will," she adds.
It doesn't seem to matter Rachel Alexandra dropped out.
"We've gotten more publicity, millions of dollars worth of publicity for a race that never happened," says Steve Arrison with the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Money will still pour in.
"The purses are going up because of the gaming over there, so gosh, I mean, the sky's the limit. Maybe Mr. Cella will pull another five-million out of his pocket for something next year," he added.
Gargano hopes the horse eventually runs at Oaklawn, even if it isn't this season.
"I think it would be really wonderful. There's been so much talk about her, I think everyone in our community would really love to see her run, and we'd love to have her here," she says. "We're looking forward to a really great weekend. We're sorry about Rachel Alexandra, but it's still a wonderful weekend in Hot Springs."
Zenyatta will go for her 16th win in a row April 9. If she wins, she will tie with Citation and Cigar for most wins in a row.
