Oaklawn

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by smarty_all_out

Is it going to be an expansion, or a separate building? I hope its not attached to main building now.

it is part of the main building. but it's certainly not the first thing you see when you walk in the door. it's on one end, on the bottom floor. there really isn't a lot of room to expand--track is on the main drag, not a lot of lateral movement available.

i think the complete lack of otbs helps. daily attendance at oaklawn generally is better than the larger tracks on regular days.

[Danzig]

http://www.drf.com/news/article/91622.html

knew i had seen an article about oaklawn, expanding, and the record purses for this year.

[herkhorse]

I think Oaklawn has done a great job with the racino, while keeping the racetrack at the forefront. Unlike other venues, you still walk into a racetrack and you actually have to look for the casino. (If you walk in the south entrance, your practically in the paddock.) Alot of other tracks I've been to have it the other way round, and you wouldn't even know they have a track.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

I think Oaklawn has done a great job with the racino, while keeping the racetrack at the forefront. Unlike other venues, you still walk into a racetrack and you actually have to look for the casino. (If you walk in the south entrance, your practically in the paddock.) Alot of other tracks I've been to have it the other way round, and you wouldn't even know they have a track.

Agreed. I went for the first time last year, had a blast.

[declansharbor]

To me, this is one of the tougher tracks to handicap. Have no idea why. I've been lucky enough to catch Theriot on some square prices, looking for the same results this year.
Does anyone else find this track to be tougher to cap? Or is it just me.

[Oaklawnfan]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

To me, this is one of the tougher tracks to handicap. Have no idea why. I've been lucky enough to catch Theriot on some square prices, looking for the same results this year.
Does anyone else find this track to be tougher to cap? Or is it just me.

They do an excellent job of changing up the surface. When you think you have the bias down, the next day it's different. Some would say that there is really very little track bias, but I have seen a sizzling rail go deep overnight and going four wide at the top of the stretch work for the deep closers. I really thought this might have been Mario Pino's strategy on Hard Spun only to go wide in last year's Southwest Stakes because the four and five hole were hot the days before. Tueflesburg closes inside to win. Hard Spun ships out.
Key Luis Q. or Calvin Bo-Rail in your exotics.

[Danzig]

long article in the paper today about the track surface. there were quite a few complaints about the surface last year, and they really put a lot of work into it. made sure that the mix was proper (x amount of sand, clay, etc) and test it constantly. been a project since the season ended last april. they said the track is the same mix as churchill and belmont. all three incredibly similar according to the article.
they also said that some of the problems were caused by trying to keep the track open on some days that it probably shouldn't have been, and that it will not happen this year. unlike some tracks, they do not spray chemicals on the surface here to combat freezing, due to runoff/environmental concerns.

we made reservations today, will be in hot springs the wknd of march 21 for anniversary #22.
will be contacting oaklawn tomorrow for carousel tix. can't wait!

[cal828]

Originally Posted by Danzig

long article in the paper today about the track surface. there were quite a few complaints about the surface last year, and they really put a lot of work into it. made sure that the mix was proper (x amount of sand, clay, etc) and test it constantly. been a project since the season ended last april. they said the track is the same mix as churchill and belmont. all three incredibly similar according to the article.
they also said that some of the problems were caused by trying to keep the track open on some days that it probably shouldn't have been, and that it will not happen this year. unlike some tracks, they do not spray chemicals on the surface here to combat freezing, due to runoff/environmental concerns.

we made reservations today, will be in hot springs the wknd of march 21 for anniversary #22.
will be contacting oaklawn tomorrow for carousel tix. can't wait!

In recent years, they seem to be taking the maintenance of the track surface a lot more seriously. I can remember going by the track in the summer and the track would be full of tall weeds, but you don't see that anymore. I think they maintain it year round now. Something strange I have noticed is that the track appears pink or reddish on TV, but when you're there at the track, it's really a sandy light brown or beige color. I guess TV doesn't duplicate colors as naturally as I had thought.