Colonial Downs

[cal828]

Oaklawn pioneered historical racing back in 2000. The original machines they used showed a horse race from somewhere in North America, but I think the machines eventually evolved into a device that was more like a conventional slot machine that no longer showed a race. I played them a few times, but I am not much of a slot player so haven't played in a long time or even been to Oaklawn for a while except to reload my internet account. I tell myself every year, that I'm going for the live races, but don't go. So much more convenient to play at home, but maybe I'll go this coming year.

[MinnSkinny]

Cal,
I moved to Arkansas in 2017, for the golf, fishing and Oaklawn. The live meet reminds me of the 70's at Aksarben. The local population goes all out on the big race days, getting crowds of 35,000+ and it's amazing. Lots of good handicappers too.
By the end of 2020, Oaklawn will triple it's casino space, and add a hotel and convention center. The Cella group plans to invest 100 million of their own money for this upgrade. They have consistently improved purses, 80,000 purses are common.
A really fun track to visit.

[cal828]

No doubt that historical racing has been good for Oaklawn. It has been interesting to watch it expand every few years from a small area in the grandstand into that big parking lot south of the track and I think it has been good that Charles Cella’s sons are staying involved. I have been a long time observer of things at Oaklawn. I went to my first horse race there in 1968 while a college student in south Arkansas. I moved to Hot Springs in 1976 and I used to attend the races a lot, but haven’t gone in recent years, but maybe I need to change that. I am alone now with three dogs. I talk to them a lot, but so far they haven’t replied. When they do, I will know for sure that I need to get out more.

I hope that the recent vote to have more casinos doesn’t harm Oaklawn. They have had a monopoly on the casino action for most of the state outside the Memphis area where Southland Greyhound Park is the only other racino. Now there will be an Indian casino in Pine Bluff and a couple of casinos in Russellville. Also with the passing of the new law authorizing casinos, Oaklawn will be able to become a full fledged casino with live dealers and such, which I think would be more labor intensive and thus, expensive to operate. So far, everything has been electronic or video gaming.