Oaklawn expansion

[clicknow]

I drive by or go in about once a week, to see what changes are happening.
Have been watching all the construction. It's rained quite a lot in the last 2 months, I can't imagine that not slowing things down. The room for sports betting is slowly taking shape. I have a feeling the hotel won't be *ready* by February but you never know. I'm sure the addition to the casino will be completed by then, money maker for them. The service workers are not making a whole lot of money since not only is it not racing season, but due to all the construction the parking lot has been moved pretty far out and there are shuttle buses picking customers up becuase it really is a long way to walk, esp. with all the rain and now 100 degree heat index starting up......so some people who might casually jump in off the cuff might not be wanting to go thru "more hassle" and less convenience right now.

Anyway, it's quite a BIG PROJECT. I still cannot figure out how the heck they are going to deal with the traffic situation on an already narrow road that goes thru the middle of the whole town. Locals know a lot of shortcuts to get where they have to go during racing season though.

One of well known taverns across the street has closed down. Those dives are perfect for big post racing days as people of all types go to drink and dance and they always had good DJs. Not sure what will be going in there. I imagine it's been bought and maybe something more upscale. As long as they don't move Rocky's I'm okay with it. Such good pizza there.

Right now there are so many construction fences, heavy earth moving machinery, and so much stuff dug up, it's hard to picture the final product.

[zico20]

I wonder if the purses will dramatically rise with the casino. Oaklawn was running allowance races around 90,000 this past meet.

[Afleet]

good they didnt close Rockys-thats where I always hang out when I'm there

[clicknow]

Originally Posted by Afleet

good they didnt close Rockys-thats where I always hang out when I'm there

It wasn't Rocky's and it wasn't the Frontier, I think it was directly across called The Crosswalk.

Those places are not busy off racing season, but the rest of the town is crowded with tourists in spring and summer, to go to the Garvin Woodland Gardens (Botanical Gardens, truly a sight to see), the old bathhouses, one of which has been converted into a microbrewery/espresso place w/floor to ceiling windows looking out so you can watch everyone walking by, the national park trails and hikes w/in the town itself (it's still very weird being in a town that is sort of "part" of a national park system), the horse and carriages, and people like me are always at the mineral spring free community fountains, filling up their water jugs (only water I will drink so I load up the back of my truck). I use the cold water one but there is one over by tourist center where it comes out pretty hot right from under the ground. ) It's so nice sitting there, afterwards.....it's cool ususually 10 degrees cooler than anywhere else, right before the trail that goes up to the water towers, and everyone hiking w/their dogs and such Then of course Magic Springs which I've never been to LOL but a lot of people go there too.

There is a big push in AR to run all city/municipal operations off solar power, there are already some towns doing that......I forgot to ask if they will have panels at oaklawn for ancillary purposes on the hotel and new buildings.

IN my next life I'm going to live in the cella cottage, right next to the track bldg. behind the gates, the back porch looks off onto the track. Would be nice to have coffee in morning watching the workouts wouldn't it?? it's a beautiful cottage, looks magical.

[Afleet]

they need a skywalk that goes over central ave-a lot of traffic there

[clicknow]

Afleet, I was wrong about the hotel construction schedule. It was not ever scheduled to be completed by racing season 2020 but much later in the year.

That crosswalk tavern was bulldozed. I guess it will be used for employee and other parking.

By the way does anyone know if the enclosed and climate-controlled 3 story Clubhouse at Saratoga got finished? (1863 Club). Supposed to be ready for this year but I read that a while back and haven't kept up with it.

[classhandicapper]

I went to Oaklawn for the first time this year and liked it a lot. If any track in America is "up and coming" it's Oaklawn. It's probably going to become my "go to" track for betting soon. The quality of racing was good, the purses were huge, the field sizes were better than at most other tracks, the food was good and reasonably priced, and Hot Springs is a nice town. With the casino expansion (it was already hopping) things can only get better.

Maybe traffic will become an issue, but they have a good thing going there.

[clicknow]

Sports betting room is up and partly constructed. Not real big, but VERY large TV screens covering the walls, like paperdolls holding hands, all around. Looks nice. I imagine they will eventually need a much larger room and more lounge-like, but it's a good start.

I think it will be very crowded at the track next year and year after.

Right now, even in off season, last thursday I'd say the casino area had about 1200 people on a sat night, but a week ahead of a holiday (4th) that is not unusual and it is tourist season here now anyway. It will probably be well over 2,000 by the weekend now..

.not sure what they get for the fireworks show... standing out by the track to watch firewalks a lot of families seem to enjoy. I never go for that stuff.

[clicknow]

Part of the expansion is they are building out 6 new barns I think? That makes 14 new barns since 2015 (some are replacing old ones that were torn down though)

I know last year they got 3 news ones: named Cigar, Victory Gallop, and Lawyer Ron.

Rick Hammerle apparently brought over from CA as racing coordinator now. VP of racing will still be Jed Doro and racing secretary is still Pat Pope

The sportsbook is VERY small, but right inside the doors to casino off the paddocks, so will be easy to jump in and jump out. I think it will take a little time for people to warm up to it though. If they do there is plenty of room to expand it backwards into the casino area where the poker tables used to be. Right now kinda has the look of a "test run" to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=GQwWwOwgkzU

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

the field sizes were better than at most other tracks

Last few years seems like avg field size is about 8-9 horses, with many races up to 12-14 later in the day. Rarely see 5 or 6 horse fields, unless there is truly remarkable weather event......and raining cats n' dogs is not a weather event here. The one thing OP does not have is a turf track, of course.

[Afleet]

Originally Posted by clicknow

Part of the expansion is they are building out 6 new barns I think? That makes 14 new barns since 2015 (some are replacing old ones that were torn down though)

I know last year they got 3 news ones: named Cigar, Victory Gallop, and Lawyer Ron.

Rick Hammerle apparently brought over from CA as racing coordinator now. VP of racing will still be Jed Doro and racing secretary is still Pat Pope

The sportsbook is VERY small, but right inside the doors to casino off the paddocks, so will be easy to jump in and jump out. I think it will take a little time for people to warm up to it though. If they do there is plenty of room to expand it backwards into the casino area where the poker tables used to be. Right now kinda has the look of a "test run" to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=GQwWwOwgkzU




Last few years seems like avg field size is about 8-9 horses, with many races up to 12-14 later in the day. Rarely see 5 or 6 horse fields, unless there is truly remarkable weather event......and raining cats n' dogs is not a weather event here. The one thing OP does not have is a turf track, of course.

think it rains too much to have turf racing and there is nowhere to put it. I hate turf anyway

[classhandicapper]

I rarely get enthusiastic about a meet these days, but I can't wait for Oaklawn to be back. I'm going to play there regularly.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by clicknow

Part of the expansion is they are building out 6 new barns I think? That makes 14 new barns since 2015 (some are replacing old ones that were torn down though)

I know last year they got 3 news ones: named Cigar, Victory Gallop, and Lawyer Ron.

Rick Hammerle apparently brought over from CA as racing coordinator now. VP of racing will still be Jed Doro and racing secretary is still Pat Pope

The sportsbook is VERY small, but right inside the doors to casino off the paddocks, so will be easy to jump in and jump out. I think it will take a little time for people to warm up to it though. If they do there is plenty of room to expand it backwards into the casino area where the poker tables used to be. Right now kinda has the look of a "test run" to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=GQwWwOwgkzU




Last few years seems like avg field size is about 8-9 horses, with many races up to 12-14 later in the day. Rarely see 5 or 6 horse fields, unless there is truly remarkable weather event......and raining cats n' dogs is not a weather event here. The one thing OP does not have is a turf track, of course.

I wish Oaklawn had a turf course, but I understand why none is there.
Jan and Feb are two of the wettest months in the south central US.

[clicknow]

Place is all kinds of "dug up" and the configuration of the parking lot changes weekly. Plenty of shuttle buses roaming the lot to pick you up wherever you are, including little bus-stop tents with benches scattered throughout the now 3 main parking areas. They have moved traffic lights on Central Ave, as well as the entrances and exits again.

New track kitchen has been moved framed out and almost done, and it will have it's own dedicated parking lot, so easier for people to go there to eat since it is open to the public. It has a log cabin type of look to it, very homey.

The new additional six-barn reconstruction is almost completed. I think just a roof or 2 needed. I haven't seen numbers but figure about 1600 horses can be accommodated. (that doesn't seem like enough to me???but they are always building more barns, guess we will see if there is room for more in the future)

Oaklawn's end game is to bring the "big horses/big races" and I think they will accomplish that. While many of the big names do already come for the Rebel and the Ark Derby, I think there will be a whole lot more big names and stakes races there in the next few years, now that they will have accommodations (200 rooms, 7 stories, overlooking track, with a luxury spa), conference/events facility, pool, etc. on-site by next year (after racing season ends this year). Only the elevator shaft and stairwells, and some of the steel structure, has been done for the hotel part so far. Everything should be done by December 2020 or January 2021.

With almost constant construction, i think things will be a little hairy for this upcoming racing season?

It's just interesting to watch a construction project this large take place, I've never had an opportunity to do that up close and personal.

Small airport which has no commercial flights (just a little commuter shuttle flight that goes to houston or dallas I believe) is perfectly suited for Tex Sutton planes. Not a big airport, not a lot of bustle if any at all....... it can be a really nice airport for horses to come into.

Airport is 3 miles from the racetrack.

This is still a pretty small town, so they have created a whole lot of jobs.

[clicknow]

Originally Posted by thespaah

Jan and Feb are two of the wettest months in the south central US.

It REALLY is! Others get snow, we get wet. I guess that's why I have 2 really good "track raincoats" in my closet.

[Tom]

Isn't it too cool that time of year to grow good grass?
Anyway, that is why I love the track - no freaking turf!

Track is by far the easiest I have ever seen to make variants, and the races are good in spite of the limited dirt distances.