Outstanding work by Oaklawn Park

[Blenheim]

“Because of our national crisis, we and the entire world of sports are in uncharted waters requiring unprecedented actions,” Cella said in a press release. “We’re trying to make the best of a very, very difficult situation. On the one hand, it is the worst of times to be racing without fans in our grandstand. On the other, we have a large number of exceptional 3-year-olds wanting to run in our Arkansas Derby. We simply did not want to see anyone lose that opportunity.

“By maintaining some semblance of a racing program, at least we’ve been able to help horse owners, their employees, trainers, and jockeys while providing sport for racing fans across the country to enjoy.”

Outstanding work by all those concerned at Oaklawn Park.

In these uncertain and troubled times, you have provided horse racing fans a good and fine product - your presentation of the sport of horse racing has been exemplary. On behalf of horse racing fans everywhere, thank you for the split divisions in the Arkansas Derby and thank you for putting on a good and fine horse racing show !

Once again, OUTSTANDING WORK .

[cj]

Really amazing job by Oaklawn. They even had the scare with the Saints coach being in the winner's circle for the Rebel and they handled it well and kept going. A lot of places would have shut it down the next day.

There really is no good reason states like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Mexico, West Virginia, and even Kentucky can't run with no fans and good safety practices in place. Some aren't allowed, and some don't want to run because the casinos aren't open.

[GMB@BP]

Originally Posted by cj

Really amazing job by Oaklawn. They even had the scare with the Saints coach being in the winner's circle for the Rebel and they handled it well and kept going. A lot of places would have shut it down the next day.

There really is no good reason states like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Mexico, West Virginia, and even Kentucky can't run with no fans and good safety practices in place. Some aren't allowed, and some don't want to run because the casinos aren't open.

I agree, it does not make sense. The majority of the people taking care of the horses are already there. Peoples lives are depending on this work for what I see as low level risk.

Its like playing golf. I walked a round yesterday, never got within 15' of anyone really. The great outdoor distancing type recreation to help the mind and the soul (well till I hit the ball) yet its too dangerous. Cmon.

[clicknow]

Oaklawn has always been good to the horsemen and customers, and good to other tracks, too like when the split the Rebel stakes last year in 2019 to accommodate Southern California horsemen impacted by SA, and even coughed up some extra money to do so. Now they are doing it with the Ark Derby splitting into 2 divisions. This is unprecedented.

Hope everybody will support this wonderful track with your wagering dollars, and when opened again, with your visit.

I am still able to watch the races in person from one of the parking lots, people are sort of tailgating out there and the distance between parking spaces is AMPLE (6' for sure).

They are also being careful at OP anyone coming in from outside for anything they are temperature checked, etc. and then blue-banded on their wrists. (I asked a jockey agent I met outside the other day about the bracelet). Otherwise you do not walk thru the doors. I guess it helps some.

Besides the chaplaincy in NY that tlg posted about (and I believe this one is included under it's wing as well), many in the industry are not earning right now. They help people in the industry. This one serves 19 states and about 37 different tracks:
Race Track Chaplaincy of America
2365 Harrodsburg Road Suite A-120
Lexington, KY 40504
For donation and receipt inquiries, please contact Kim Donaldson (kdonaldson@rtcanational.org).

[trifecta]

Oaklawn Park has once again put out a superior product, featuring great racing, large fields and exciting finishes. It's one of my favorite meets in the entire racing landscape, along with Keeneland, Saratoga, Kentucky Downs, Woodbine and (an untroubled) Santa Anita.

Congratulations OP management, staff, employees, horsemen/women and horses. You deserve all the kudos you get.

[dilanesp]

They deserve the praise post-Rebel, although having the Winner's Circle ceremonies for the Rebel could have gotten someone killed.

They apparently aren't making a lot of money on this (I believe Vic posted that the economics didn't make sense to stay open past Derby weekend), so it can be called a public service of sorts.

[Tom]

The only complaint I had all season was the yellow saddle cloths for the stakes race last weekend. Really?

But overall

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by Tom

The only complaint I had all season was the yellow saddle cloths for the stakes race last weekend. Really?

But overall

For some reason a few tracks still think it looks "cool" and like a "big race" when you use monochrome saddle cloths. I don't get it.

[Tom]

Neither do the tracks.

Most don't mean to insult their customers, though, most don't even think about them at all. Like last week, OP and GOP, only two track running, overlapped a race post time.

F*** amazing the dimwits who run race tracks.

And I mean no ill will toward your general dimwits.
But racetrack managers - dumber than dumb.

[classhandicapper]

I went to Oaklawn for the first time last year for the split Rebel. I came away enthusiastic about it's future. I loved everything about the place including going into the town of Hot Springs. It's one of the few bright spots in the industry.

[clicknow]

Sat is going to be a great race card at OP. Full fields, 14 races, many of the best horses from around the nation.....lots of interesting horizontals to play.

I better get a good night's rest on Friday night. Weather is supposed to be dry and sunny FOR A CHANGE (we just had a killer storm about 2 hours ago, hail was pummelling roof here, and the usual monsoon hard rain coming down. Passed quickly w/many tornado watches, then some actual tornado warnings south of me.)

[Tom]

Fox Sports has 7.5 hours of coverage slated, with Andy Serling there and Maggie Wolf as well.

The band is back together again!

3 hours coverage Fri and Sunday, too.

No mint juleps...what is the drink of Oaklawn?

[dilanesp]

Originally Posted by Tom

Fox Sports has 7.5 hours of coverage slated, with Andy Serling there and Maggie Wolf as well.

The band is back together again!

3 hours coverage Fri and Sunday, too.

No mint juleps...what is the drink of Oaklawn?

Let's hope everyone stays safe and maintains distancing.

[Afleet]

I've had my ass handed to me three weeks in a row there-going for the 4 peat this saturday

[Tom]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

Let's hope everyone stays safe and maintains distancing.

Hard not to, as it is the same format they have been using - calling from home on Zoom or something like that.