OakLawn Park
HORSES ARE HERE !!!
Horses began arriving and training for the 2003 live meet over the past weekend. Many of the leading stables in the country will be on hand for the January 24 opening of the season and 350-400 horses are expected to be bedded down at Oaklawn by the Christmas holidays. Oaklawn Park's condition books will this year offer the strongest purse structure in the 99-year history of the track.
Thanks to a combination of circumstances,” noted general manager Eric Jackson, “We are able to project a daily average purse offering in 2003 at $235-240,000 per day.” Oaklawn’s scheduled 55-day meet will run from Friday, January 24, through Saturday, April 12, with the famed Racing Festival of the South scheduled from April 6-12.
“We were one of the few tracks in America to enjoy both increased mutuel handle and attendance during our 2002 live meet,” Jackson continued. “We have had a nice simulcast season and that, combined with substantial support for Instant Racing®, has left us in the position that we can see our way clear for the increase in purses in 2003.” Oaklawn averaged just under $225,000 for the 2002 meet.
Racing Secretary Pat Pope echoed Jackson’s enthusiasm about the purses for 2003. “Our horsemen have supported us through some tough times and we are pleased to be able to share the benefits of our good times as a result. We are proud that we will have a minimum purse of $7,500 for the season and that we’ll be able to offer $30,000 for maiden allowance and $40,000 for open allowances races this year. All in all,” concluded Pope, “There is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding this season, which will lead up to our Centennial in 2004."
SARATOGA
Wednesday, July 23 - Labor Day, Monday, September 1 (36 days)
Jeff ....
you come visit opening day *(will be my thirty seventh (37) consecutive opening day to wager at HotSprings)
and
I'll come visit opening day in NY ...
deal?????
LOL
Nems |
