Oaklawn Cancellation (Again)

Dana666 · February 20, 2006, 06:32:47 AM

This is from their web site: (Sounds like a reasonable plan of action to me -- all tracks should have such clear thinking, intelligent management; I remember so many cancellations in NJ where the races were lost forever into some black hole never to be seen again!)

\"A combination of a frozen racing surface and continued adverse weather conditions in the area have forced Oaklawn officials to cancel racing for Sunday and Monday, February 19-20. Oaklawn will be open for Simulcast and Instant racing only on both days. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m.

\"We had hopes for some cooperation from Mother Nature in forecasts earlier in the week\" announced general manager Eric Jackson on Sunday morning, \"But that relief never occurred. We now face a day where the temperature will not get past the freezing mark and a forecast for additional freezing rain throughout the day. Our decisions are always based on safety to horses, jockeys, fans and employees, so there was no questions how we had to decide. The roads in Hot Springs this morning are pretty good, so we hope by opening for simulcast and Instant Racing we can provide some entertainment to the many fans who were already here for the big weekend.\"

\"Our plan now,\" Jackson continued, \"Is to get the track back as soon as possible and have it in great racing shape by Thursday. The weather forecasters indicate that we will have fine weather conditions by midweek and return to sunshine and warmer temperatures by Thursday. We will open with eleven-race cards on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 23-25. The extra race on each of those days will be the stakes races we lost this weekend. We will race the Pippin Stakes (originally scheduled on Saturday, February 18) on Thursday, the Martha Washington Stakes (originally scheduled on Sunday, February 19) on Friday, and the Southwest Stakes (originally carded for Monday, February 20) on Saturday. These are races of national importance and we want our horsemen to have the chance to prepare their horses safely for all the major events coming up in the next few months.\"

shanahan · February 20, 2006, 07:19:14 AM

the reading sounds noble...but the truth is that you can\'t race (it\'s a rule)on a surface that has been closed for training 2+ dyas in succession.

spa · February 20, 2006, 09:12:52 AM

If you don\'t like Frank S, what\'s to be made of the joker who runs Oaklawn? He\'s never bet a horse in his life and was part owner of a liquor store, before he got the big job. They\'ve done great harm to the business and Hot Springs.

shanahan · February 20, 2006, 10:11:06 AM

can\'t go with you here on this one...Oaklawn is setting records each season for handle and attendance last seral in a row...instant racing brings in more than double the live handle (I don\'t get it), but it raises purses, attracts more folks, larger pools...what is it exactly you arent\' happy with? I like it so much I bought anouther house there...

spa · February 20, 2006, 10:29:08 AM

I\'ll bet mine is closer. Why do you think a house in the Spa is so cheap?

shanahan · February 20, 2006, 03:37:35 PM

just back from the simulcast action ...hey, I\'m going to raise hell about something I learned today involving instant racing, employee pay, and the ridiculous double standard going on there...keep you posted.

spa · February 20, 2006, 06:32:34 PM

Shanahan....I told you soooooo

rando · February 21, 2006, 05:01:52 PM

Spa Your comments are basically totally inaccurate in your description of the owner of Oaklawn. Where do you come up with these type of comments. I\'m not commenting on your third sentence but your second sentence. I know the owner personally for 40 yrs. and your staement is totally inaccurate.

spa · February 21, 2006, 06:48:33 PM

Rando....I never made a comment about the owner, did you say you were his friend?
Are we talking St.Louis or Hot springs......

shanahan · February 22, 2006, 03:23:23 AM

rando you are correct, obviously spa meant Mr. Jackson, not Mr. Cella. But that does not address questions/promises that have to be addressed surrounding instant racing...before I spill the beans to everyone else, have the two of you been inside \"instant racing\"?

rando · February 22, 2006, 07:54:47 AM

Know him from St. Louis my and his home.

rando · February 22, 2006, 08:00:08 AM

No I\'ve been to Oaklawn 15 times since but have naver walked inside that room on the way to tha Carousel or on the way back down to the paddock ,apron,or for shrimp or oysters on the first floor. $$$$ for $$$$ the best town for horse racing experince in the U.S.

shanahan · February 22, 2006, 10:01:35 AM

well, I\'m an STL guy as well, & here\'s the \"skinny\" in a nuthsell:

1. Instant Racing is great way to raise purses and finance what can be world class racing for more than just one week (Festival of Racing).

2. Instant Racing brings in @ $225 Million. The track brings in @ $75 million by itself. Total borught in now is @ $300 million.

3. The recent vote just barely passed (by a nose, as the website states) to expand instant racing. Makes good sense - for everyone (at least I thought that two months ago, even two weeks ago).

Let\'s continue with more facts...

4. The Instant racing room has a different pay scale for employees - yes that is correct, a bartender/security person,...makes more in the game room than the same job 40 yards down the hall...why? They are not even aware of this - till now.

5. Two promotions were scheduled last weekend (when live meet cancelled due to weather - simulcast remained open) - one in the game room, one for the live meet. One promowent on as advertised, the other was cancelled - not postponed, simply cancelled \"till next year\". Horsemen are not amused.

6. Last fact - the Instant Racing would not even exist if not for Oaklawn Race Track itself.

Conclusion - the track / ownership has lost sight of the horseplayer and the horsemen who are the ones responsible for Instant Racing in the first place...promises made, promises not fully kept...but as long as the people have their eye on something else, it\'ll continue. Ignorance is bliss, and they have pulled a fast one on the town and the horseplayers. If the vote comes up again, I won\'t be hoodwinked like last time - I\'ll oppose it, as the others who made it fly \"by a nose\" will also...stay tuned.

spa · February 22, 2006, 08:41:31 PM

Shanahan....great expose.....but only the tip of the iceberg.

shanahan · February 23, 2006, 03:38:21 AM

spa, please chime in...I don\'t want my track to become Stronach Midwest....and I\'m sending this also into the local paper this weekend.