2/16: Oaklawn adds to weather cancellations

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by mnmark

Wouldn't it behoove Oaklawn to start its meet around March 1st. They have canceled Presidents day racing three of the last six years not to mention the entire opening day weekend. Every year the cancel numerous days due to racing in the winter. They have basically nine months of the year where weather would not be a challenge. They run in two of the worst months of the year January and February.

I know the Derby is the main factor and they want to end the meet with the Arkansas Derby one month prior to the Derby It just seams there must be a better time to start the meet so that the fans could really enjoy the great spring weather they will have Maybe start the meet on Presidents Day?

Thoughts?

they have their meet nestled in between several others. to move would mean a lot more competition for horses
weather is just one of the many things one runs up against in this sport. cancellations can occur any time of year due to various events out of everyone's control.
the weekend was beautiful. that's life in Arkansas.
Arkansas really needs to keep doing what it's doing, with purse increases coming fairly often. it's doing very, very well altogether.

[jnunan4759]

I agree with Danzig as it's an issue of competition and field size. In March, especially later, the trainers and horses start to move. Oaklawn has become popular in the last 10 years because of giving horsemen an alternative, especially for 3YO's. Smarty and John Servis was one of the first to make it popular and Larry Jones also. Those dates fit in a niche and the could shift dates but not get the 3YO's and other fuller fields the get now. Most likely many out of town operations would just bypass OP and go to FL or NO.

The key to 3YO races now is points. They have the Southwest and the Ak Derby which provide a strong path to the starting gate of the Derby.

Also a big factor is Keenland and when the open which would take many of their horses and horsemen away.