2/16: Oaklawn adds to weather cancellations

[DaTruth]

The only temperature that really matters at Oaklawn is the temperature in the Instant Racing casino area.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

The only temperature that really matters at Oaklawn is the temperature in the Instant Racing casino area.

I particularly enjoyed this column: https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/a...ormula-working

Leaving the writer's personal biases aside, it extols the virtues of Oaklawn, as if they have come up with some secret recipe for long-term success. Yes, item #1 on the checklist is "Start a highly successful alternative gaming operation."

Oaklawn is a neat track and a fun place to visit, but they are hardly a "shining star" when they are often the 4th or 5th highest handling track on a Saturday this time of year. They also have no regard for post time management, a woeful graphics package and don't use Trakus. A racetrack with purses that size should be able to put in Trakus, especially given the length of their meet.

[Danzig]

i was telling hubby that saturday, that they needed trackus.

[jnunan4759]

It was terrible at Parx on Sunday. Chill factors at -20. Winds 25 gusting to 60. Monday was a bit better but it only got to 16. Lighter winds. Today is 23 with sun and not much wind. They race 52 weeks a year. Not a big deal cancelling.

However Tuesday is their biggest handle day of the week. Not sure what they handle because the don't usually report it. It's a mere fraction of what they do in the casino. They never cancel.

[jnunan4759]

If you planned on taking you horse through Arkansas to the Derby, you will have to go in the Southwest and then run back in 3 weeks (20 days) in the Rebel and then get 4 weeks off before the Arkansas Derby. Then you have 3 weeks to the Derby, two weeks to Preakness and 3 weeks to Derby. even if you

That's 6 Graded races in 15 weeks. 4 of them are Grade 1's.

Will be a tough road. Southwest isn't enough points, so even if you win, would most likely need a good finish in other two.

[Danzig]

it's pretty bad when that type schedule is considered too taxing.

[jnunan4759]

I think you have to have a pretty robust individual who doesn't beat himself up too much. Also, I think you have to have a horse with a good 2YO foundation. Any weaknesses will be exposed on a schedule like this. With the way they've structured the points system, you can't depend on anything accomplished before Feb 15th. While it has some good points, it also dictates that you must run a horse hard leading up to the Derby just to get in. Then, when you get in, you have a brutal hard series. This is becoming more of "Survivor" than the "Classics".