Venue for January 14 contest

[JolyB]

I'd like to try someplace different for the Saturday's contest. We have just visited Santa Anita, and I'm sure we shall do so again soon. I'm almost positive that Gulfstream Park will be chosen before the end of this month (how could we not play the Pegasus card?). The Fair Grounds has had problems mustering full fields - this past weekend had a number of races with a miniscule number of runners after scratches. And the tracks in the North - well, let's just say that weather cancellations have been abundant and let it go at that. After Aqueduct cancelled both weekend cards, I spent my handicapping time shoveling snow instead and have the sore muscles to prove it.

So, this Saturday I'd like to take us all to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's opening weekend and they have a modest 9 race card scheduled that has drawn full fields. While there is a forecast of rain, the predicted temps should be near 60, so there is no chance of freezing stuff. As far as I know, Oaklawn does not have a turf course, so we won't have to worry about what to do with the MTO's. First post is 1:05 PM Central time.

What I would really like to do is to meet all of you in person at a place like Oaklawn - it's a beautiful track and Hot Springs is a very interesting town - a National Park is located within city limits and the Arlington Hotel seems to be proud of the fact that Al Capone held court there back during the Prohibition era. Alas, that isn't likely, so I'll just be content to look for all of you in the starting gate of our contest.

[DonGuido]

I like it JB and the meet and greet is a great idea. Maybe a little more time to prepare . . . so along that line let's all talk about this happening sometime this year in a place that's not too hot, rain chances are slim and that has other evirons or attraction around it that add to the visit.

Hmmmmm,

Del Mar
Churchill (horse farm visits )
Keeneland (horse farm visits )
Saratoga
Oaklawn
Gulfstream (rain?/heat?
Fairgrounds (rain?/heat?)

Come to mind, any others tracks to consider and how many of us are up to trying to make this happen. I'll start a new thread for this if there's any interest at all.

Thanks JB for the inspiration.

[NJ Stinks]

While I would love to meet everyone at Oaklawn, there is little chance due to family obligations.

But I really really want to visit Oaklawn (never have before) so I will not say I'll never go!