Does anyone do it better??????

[jpops757]

Oaklawn increases purses again. Blood horse had a nice article. I dont have the figures but they probably are among the highst in daily attendance of all tracks. A quote in the article, We treat the sport as a major sporting event and not just a gambling event. Should other tracks take note of this???

[Travis Stone]

They lost eight days of racing to weather last year... that's a significant amount of revenue to their property.

[Oaklawnfan]

Change can always be hard to handle particularly when institutions are benched for new voices and traditions are put on hold to follow new strategies. With about a third of the season down, the fortunate weather, good attendance, a successful well protected Racino and some new operational polices have seemingly contributed to Oaklawn experiencing about the best meet you could have in these times. Of course it's hard for me to be objective.

[NTamm1215]

Oaklawn does incredible on-track business. That is a huge feather in their cap. On most weekends, 1/3rd of their total handle is on-track business. That's huge.

What they do poorly, however, is mis-manage their post times so that they are constantly in conflict with another major signal. This severely hinders their total handle, because you're already up against it when you start 1.5-2 hours after the major east coast signals. Most people don't realize it, but a place like Tampa out-handles OP on weekends 1.5-1.

It's more of a personal gripe, but I hate that they draw 48 hours out. Give people a little time to look at your cards.

All in all, they're having a great meet and it's nice to see purses going up in times like these.

[jpops757]

With no other tbred racing in state they could probably get any and all the dates they want. They ralize there niche and use there dates and promote them as a big sporting event and reap the rewards of gambling. Do you ever hear them whinning about needing more days like most other venues. Travis I hate to say this but its true. LAD is just a gambling venue that has late spring and summer racing. I fell for racing with Don Howard,Larry Snyder,ayoung CalvinBorel,Ronnie Ardowin and the likes of craker Walker. I loved it there. No full cardn simo. Generaly one big race a week end simoed. People in the grandstand. Now days you can unload an uzi in the grandstand and couldnt hurt anyone Live attendance makes attending fun.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by jpops757

Do you ever hear them whinning about needing more days like most other venues. Travis I hate to say this but its true. LAD is just a gambling venue that has late spring and summer racing.

So you're saying Louisiana Downs would like to run more dates?

[jpops757]

they run way too many. Part of the problem. La bred bonus is a big draw for them. Lone star and Texas initialy hurt LAD but they countered with the casinos and inhancing the la bred enhancemends and Texas is becoming nothing more than a simocast parlor. Lone Star just finished a upgrade of the simo pavilion and it is the life blood for Lone Star. Breeders are moving to La because of the casino $$$$$$$$$. Even with the pitiful Ak breed racing Oaklawn takes there product and still draws the crowds.