It was charlie cella's dream to turn OP into the best 3 year old racing venue in the nation and it looks like his son(s) are going to honor his dreams and wishes. I think there will be 4 races now that carry a $1 million dollar purse. Plus they bumped up the purses of a few other races, too. I fully expect 8-14 horse fields, and with the $100 million dollar expansion of my home track, I expect it to become even better than it already has been. I swing by once a week to check out the construction and changes.......it's a pretty enormous undertaking, they've even had to move traffic lights out on Central Ave. Hotel and pool and conference center won't be up til 2020, probably start after this racing meet is over. Most years they have to turn down quite a number of people who want barns there. I wanted to respond to a post in the blogs, but not letting me, even though I used my correct special password. Maybe when Lisa gets settled in she can figure out why I can't ever post in the Blogs section. I sure would like to sometimes. In the meantime, wanted to say that J I am not, and never have been, much of a Saratoga fan. It's been chalk city and too many 2 year old maiden races for my taste....and so many scratches.......I had 4 horses I liked and 3 scratched......that seems like a typical day lately.. Most of the 2 year olds never last til ky derby prep towards the end. of it all. At any rate, even the exactas are dreadfully chalky.
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Aug 3, 2019
· Edited: Aug 3, 2019Oaklawn just raised their purses again
Oaklawn just raised their purses again
Hi Windy,
I am getting my computer set up today (I'm using my ipad right now) and when I do I will make sure that you get upgraded to post in the Blog section. You will receive an email from Wix - make sure to answer it and "accept" your invitation to write in the blog section. Then you will be all set. You should get that email in a day or two.
Blog articles are different than forum articles - they should be at least 4 minute reads and geared towards being posted on the front page. They are password protected as well.
I'm with you about Saratoga. Its only exciting because there isnt much going on in the summer. Whenever I go there I wish I didnt and just stayed home.
That’s Great to hear. One of my favorite tracks. Oaklawn runs a lot of competitive races.
On my way to the airport in Little Rock I noted that they are widening the interstate between HS and LRto a 6 lane......big job and will take until 2023.......that should tell you a lot about what Oaklawn is going to be. I go every week and watch the construction/changes. Oaklawn is 6 miles from my residence. They've moved traffic lights, they moved the track kitchen (but it will have it's own parking lot so anybody can go eat there and not get tied up in the Oaklawn/racing lot), new barns have been built. the hotel part won't be ready til after this upcoming racing season. Cranes high into the air, and they had to get a lot of jackhammering done before the horses arrive here this season. At $100 million, this is historically the largest entertainment expansion in the history of Arkansas. https://www.oaklawn.com/construction-progress/
Wow. This is great news. I am looking forward to seeing some huge races there - something I better start working on as far as trends and history! Lots of work ahead!