Oaklawn Park instructs employees about its history.

[tims70ar]

Wally Hall of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has a must read article about how new employees at Oaklawn can take a six week course in learning the history of horse racing in Arkansas and why the racetrack will always be more important than the casino even thought the casino brings in the most revenue.

The course was devised and is taught by Eric Jackson who is one of the few "old guard" at OP.

Everyone needs to experience Oaklawn Park at some time in their life.

Tim

[1hooper]

Tim,is there room for a turf course? Any talk of a fall meet?
Hooper

[tims70ar]

In the spring the infield is very beautiful. There would need to be lots of items to be demolished or relocated. (see pic below)

Putting in a turf course would be very costly.

The backstretch is elevated above the infield, so a ton of dirt would have to be brought in.

Wally's article today is the first I've ever heard of possible turf course.

A fall meet would be possible but the winter/spring meet is what makes OP special.

Charles Cella was also always...always...always...against running 2yo's. (though he did run some of his own at CD) That may be another reason they never had a fall meet.

He was also against most medications and the track still offers a 10% bonus to winners running without Lasix.