Oaklawn expansion

[clicknow]

I had to fly out of the airport in Little Rock this week.

Lots of highway construction between Hot Springs and the Clinton National Airport, to be completed by 2023.

They are adding an extra lane both ways between Hot Springs and the airport in Little Rock.

Because.....Oaklawn. (plus just more people moving to area and commerce between hot springs and other areas).

Will be a very easy drive for sure.

[clicknow]

Joe Talamo is leaving CA and coming to ride at OP and KY. Always interesting to see how they ride back here.

Temp restrictions on horses coming over from Remington due the one equine herpevirus case there. Bad timing since OP backstretch opens Monday. Hopefully this wil be a short termed restriction.

Guess they've been making sure to get the really "loud" work done closest to the backside, so the horses will have a peaceful time here. I've seen the workers working every single day lately.

[clicknow]

Hollendorfer moving his barn to Oaklawn.

Also, Shug McGaughey plans to send a 15-horse division.

[Appy]

I'm really looking forward to Oaklawn this year. Expecting it could turn out to be best OPX meet ever. They're working so hard at everything it wouldn't surprise me to see Oaklawn elevated to Tier 1 before much longer.

[clicknow]

It always a "good meet" to me, mainly because what could be better than getting out of the house and outside, in winter, at a live track, watching horses, etc. ?

There are enough days in AR in winter where you can still scoot out in a light sweatshirt and the sun is out. Otherwise, it will be raining. that's pretty much how it goes.......then a few weeks of freezing cold like anywhere else.......but you sometimes get a "break" in weather, which is why I like the climate.

I don't like crowded weekends, so I always go on quiet weekdays.

[Equifan]

Originally Posted by clicknow

Hollendorfer moving his barn to Oaklawn.

Also, Shug McGaughey plans to send a 15-horse division.

I saw Hollendorfer's "forced to move to Oaklawn" comment.
If I were in charge of stall apps I;d be tempted to be "forced to put him" waaaay in the back of the last barn......

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Equifan

I saw Hollendorfer's "forced to move to Oaklawn" comment.
If I were in charge of stall apps I;d be tempted to be "forced to put him" waaaay in the back of the last barn......

That last barn that is also the last barn on the north side of Fair Grounds!

Also looking forward to OP this winter.....

[Milkshaker]

Originally Posted by Equifan

I saw Hollendorfer's "forced to move to Oaklawn" comment.
If I were in charge of stall apps I;d be tempted to be "forced to put him" waaaay in the back of the last barn......

I think they will do just the opposite--Oaklawn will kill Hollendorfer with kindness. I'm betting that Oaklawn wants to make it clear to SoCal trainers that they are a better winter/spring option than Santa Anita.

[Tom]

That is a good point - OP looking to a good future, SA seems in a coma, trying to justify it's existence.

btw, I see LA ran over a sloppy track today - doesn't this just fly in the face of SA and Dmr trying to blame it all on off tracks and cancelling races? Seems to me $GREED$ won out today.

[BarchCapper]

Recently got home from Oaklawn after spending about 2 1/2 hours in line this morning getting some reserved seats for the meet on this, the opening day for ticket sales.

With all the vacant grandstands and aprons I see at so many of the nation’s tracks, I didn’t really mind the wait. So nice to have a track where in-person attendance is a popular thing.

Looking forward to January 24th!

[46zilzal]

Best little meeting in North America..

Old Longacres used to hold this title and really miss Do Dah.

[clicknow]

Originally Posted by BarchCapper

Recently got home from Oaklawn after spending about 2 1/2 hours in line this morning getting some reserved seats for the meet on this, the opening day for ticket sales.

With all the vacant grandstands and aprons I see at so many of the nation’s tracks, I didn’t really mind the wait. So nice to have a track where in-person attendance is a popular thing.

Looking forward to January 24th!

The "in-person" thing has always been true there.

How did you find the parking situation? The vans help, they will pick you up no matter where you park......but it sure is a mess right now due to all the construction taking up space.

[BarchCapper]

Originally Posted by clicknow

The "in-person" thing has always been true there.

How did you find the parking situation? The vans help, they will pick you up no matter where you park......but it sure is a mess right now due to all the construction taking up space.

During the off-season, I’ve been parking in the Oaklawn owned lot across the street (the one with the entrance just past where Higdon Ferry breaks off of Central). As long as you arrive during simulcasting hours those main doors up the steps off Central are open. Plus you get the “I cross when *I* want to cross” crosswalk.

During the season I normally park in the north lot.

[clicknow]

Originally Posted by BarchCapper

During the off-season, I’ve been parking in the Oaklawn owned lot across the street (the one with the entrance just past where Higdon Ferry breaks off of Central). As long as you arrive during simulcasting hours those main doors up the steps off Central are open. Plus you get the “I cross when *I* want to cross” crosswalk.

Yeah, that one is too "close to the sidewalks" for me.....there was some vandalism there (it was a for-no-reason type vandalism......somebody just broke some windows of some cars out of boredom........nothing stolen at all......and it all happened w/in a few minutes.......bored kids? drunk young uns?).

I don't know if they have/had cameras in that lot yet at the time, it was sort of a new lot to me, and not well-lighted. I guess in the day would be okay.

So --- I would rather be w/in the *deeper recesses* of the Oaklawn lot, where the 4 van busses are constantly travelling, there are cameras, lights and security golf carts are located........as far from the actual street and public sidewalks are.

[BarchCapper]

I think we’ve only ever been at Oaklawn in the daytime (except for chapel nights, and then we park over by it).

Perspectives sure do differ. Grew up in NYC and consider area around Oaklawn pretty safe, but that’s me.