New for Oaklawn 2017

[kingoftherapids]

New things:

scoreboard is going to be digital now. they have also added numbers 13 and 14 to the toteboards... 

Amoss i believe is bringing his 1st string here.

new barn is very nice. plans and land to build more soon (wouldnt be before this season)

new sand/dirt brought in is very good stuff. i walked over it last week a couple times.

ALL NEW MACHINES!!! thank goodness

I've heard a couple of sections of just boxes are under construction. the two sections down by cella's house

heard a another big screen is going to be in the infield more by the 16th finish line.

[kingoftherapids]

took out one thing until it gets approved. not really a reason to stir the pot until it is voted on.

[holeinthewall]

So does this mean 14 horses will be a full field this year?  MSW with 14 horses? 

[kingoftherapids]

Here are pictures I took.

[kingoftherapids]

I talked to a trainer and the big thing for them is they will be able to run uncoupled now

[holeinthewall]

NO Pick 6 this year. Pick 5 instead. that thing will pay huge every day.   Would be nice if it started with race 1 which is usually an awful betting race.
What's going on with the restaurant downstairs it is all closed off also

[userpick]

Betting wise, a pick 5 would be huge.

To me, the most important part of this list is the new sand/dirt. I'd love to know more about it. Oaklawn has to attempt to do something about the surface. It's one of the worst in racing. The weather doesn't help but with all the breakdowns we have, something must be done. I know one very popular trainer who will not stable his stakes/allowance type horses at Oaklawn this meet because he says the surface is as bad as it gets. He doesn't want them training on it. I'm glad to see Oaklawn is finally making changes that doesn't involve a casino.

[Iwastherein1969]

NO Pick 6 this year. Pick 5 instead. that thing will pay huge every day.   Would be nice if it started with race 1 which is usually an awful betting race.
What's going on with the restaurant downstairs it is all closed off also

there should be both

[Iwastherein1969]

So does this mean 14 horses will be a full field this year?  MSW with 14 horses?

this would accommodate state bred maiden races quite well...there are usually more than 12 entered in these types of races...could make for some gigantic exacta and trifecta payouts

[holeinthewall]

there should be both

No money in that Pick 6 anymore.  Takes 10 days to get to 40k

[kingoftherapids]

Gary Stevens will be here this winter

[jdelo77]

Gary Stevens will be here this winter

What !?! What ?!? Wow

[kingoftherapids]

Hot Springs native Gene Short will be his and Alex Canchari's agent.

[userpick]

Hot Springs native Gene Short will be his and Alex Canchari's agent.

My golf buddy Geno!!

[oldman1015]

Gary Stevens will be here this winter

wow

[holeinthewall]

I am really looking forward to the P3, P4, TRI and Super in races with 14 horses.  Should boost the payouts nicely.

[kingoftherapids]

Here they are putting up the second video board and putting the numbers on the new digital toteboard.  It looks great

[holeinthewall]

Now if they would open up the infield more so you walk along the backstretch.

[kingoftherapids]

Gary Stevens will be here this winter

just like that stevens backs out of coming. nakatani will be back. *rolls eyes*

[jdelo77]

just like that stevens backs out of coming. nakatani will be back. *rolls eyes*

That sucks ...

[heavylifting]

just like that stevens backs out of coming. nakatani will be back. *rolls eyes*

As explained here -- http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/stevens_to_remain_ride_first_call_for_ruis/

Here's hoping that Declan Cannon opts for Oaklawn. Been riding (and winning) for JVB at Churchill.

[kingoftherapids]

More pics

[userpick]

Geez. That screen is like the size of the one in my living room.

[heavylifting]

just like that stevens backs out of coming. nakatani will be back. *rolls eyes*

Or maybe this was really the reason after all -- http://www.drf.com/news/stevens-have-hip-replacement-surgery

[heavylifting]

Enhanced drug testing protocol to take effect at upcoming meet.

http://www.drf.com/news/oaklawn-have-enhanced-drug-testing-program-upcoming-meet

[oldman1015]

Enhanced drug testing protocol to take effect at upcoming meet.

http://www.drf.com/news/oaklawn-have-enhanced-drug-testing-program-upcoming-meet

Well that will change the trainer standings.

[cbhawg03]

Well that will change the trainer standings.

Don't think it changes much.  It is the same testing that was performed on horses in graded stakes races before.  Some of the most questionable people on the grounds have ran horses in graded stakes and got by the test so don't count on much changing, if anything changes at all.

[hogoffate]

Well that will change the trainer standings.

Just asking out of curiosity, how do you think standings change and what trainers will not have as many wins?

[kingoftherapids]

everybody assumes villafranco. we will find out i guess

[kingoftherapids]

the thing is... the best cheaters are always ahead of the game....

[cbhawg03]

It's not going to change a thing.  This is the same testing that was performed in graded stakes races.  One of the most questionable and another that has questions of cheating both had horses run in graded stakes last year.  Guess what?  Neither got busted for anything.  These people are way ahead of the testing. 

I'm not saying that someone doesn't have an overage throughout the year but nothing will change like you guys think. 

[cbhawg03]

There are reasons for overages other than cheating as well.  How many thing Graham Motion is out there cheating?  But he has had some overages. 

[cbhawg03]

Any new trainers / jockeys coming?

Did see that Tommy Pompell will ride for Holthus.

[heavylifting]

nakatani will be back.

Or maybe not.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/nakatani-seeks-rejuvenate-career-son-matt-agent/

[husker71]

it looks like Nakatani is going to try and make a come back on the west coast.

[hogoffate]

Anyone have knowledge if Florent Geroux is coming to ride at OP or will stay at FG?  I believe he's Assman's 1st call rider at FG and Santana is 1st call here.

Who does Assman use if Santana rides for someone else?  In the past it's been Nakatani.

Thanks for any replies.

[userpick]

Flo will ride FG for Asmussen and Cox. He's not leaving those turf races.

[heavylifting]

Up and coming Irish rider Declan Cannon to Oaklawn per Dec 21 Tweet from Florida HorseRacing at https://twitter.com/declancannon321?lang=en

Rides primarily for JVB, Tom Proctor and Ben Colebrook.

Seventh in jocks standings at recently completed CD meet -- http://equibase.churchilldowns.com/eqbTopLeadersByTrackDisplay.cfm?trk=CD&cy=USA&stat=J&style=CD

[holeinthewall]

Flo will ride FG for Asmussen and Cox. He's not leaving those turf races.

Wish Oaklawn had a turf course.