Arkansas | Horse Racing Free Tips

Oaklawn To Welcome Limited Number Of Fans For 2021 Meet

Pursuant to the Arkansas Department of Health directive, Oaklawn plans to conduct the 2021 live meet with limited spectators. The 57-day season runs Friday, Jan. 22 – Saturday, May 1.

“We've been working on plans covering numerous scenarios and we're happy to announce we will be welcoming back race fans in 2021, albeit on a limited basis,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “We know that the fans are what make Oaklawn so special, but our main concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and team members. We appreciate the support we have received from the Arkansas Department of Health in developing this plan. We will be working with them throughout the live season and will adjust as needed.”

In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Arkansas Department of Health, Oaklawn has submitted a plan to allow a limited number of spectators at the races during the 2021 live race meet highlighted by the following:

· General admission into the Grandstand will not be allowed initially in 2021.

· Entrance into the Grandstand will strictly be for guests with a racing credential and/or reservation for that day's races. Doors will open at 11 am.

· Current seasonal box seat holders and current Oaklawn Jockey Club members may enter the Grandstand with weekly reservations required. Detailed correspondence to be sent separately to these individuals.

· Restaurants inside the Grandstand, following Arkansas Department of Health directives, will be open to the public with weekly reservations required.

· Simulcast will be open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–8pm to limited capacity with weekly reservations required.

· Social distancing will be enforced.

· All guests and team members will be required to have non-invasive temperature checks as they enter the facility. Anyone presenting a temp at/over 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted inside the building.

· All guests and team members will be required to wear masks at all times.

· Smoking will not be allowed anywhere inside the facility, including the casino.

Restaurant reservations may be made starting Jan. 18 by calling 501-363-4710.

Simulcast reservations may be made starting January 18 by calling 501-363-4320.

For additional details and future updates, please visit oaklawn.com.

The post Oaklawn To Welcome Limited Number Of Fans For 2021 Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Oaklawn to Allow Limited Spectators

The 57-day meeting at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR, is set to be conducted with a limited number of spectators, pursuant to the directives of the Arkansas Department of Health.

“We’ve been working on plans covering numerous scenarios and we’re happy to announce we will be welcoming back race fans in 2021, albeit on a limited basis,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “We know that the fans are what make Oaklawn so special, but our main concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and team members. We appreciate the support we have received from the Arkansas Department of Health in developing this plan. We will be working with them throughout the live season and will adjust as needed.”

Oaklawn officials released the following guidelines:

General admission into the Grandstand will not be allowed initially in 2021.

Entrance into the Grandstand will strictly be for guests with a racing credential and/or reservation for that day’s races. Doors will open at 11 am.

Current seasonal box seat holders and current Oaklawn Jockey Club members may enter the Grandstand with weekly reservations required. Detailed correspondence to be sent separately to these individuals.

Restaurants inside the Grandstand, following Arkansas Department of Health directives, will be open to the public with weekly reservations required.

Simulcast will be open Wednesday–Sunday, 11a.m.–8 p.m. to limited capacity with weekly reservations required.

Social distancing will be enforced.

All guests and team members will be required to have non-invasive temperature checks as they enter the facility. Anyone presenting a temp at/over 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted inside the building.

All guests and team members will be required to wear masks at all times.

Smoking will not be allowed anywhere inside the facility, including the casino.

The post Oaklawn to Allow Limited Spectators appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘We Have An Obligation’: Louis Cella Named Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year

Oaklawn owner and president Louis Cella has been named the 2020 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year for his efforts to keep racing going during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The track operated without fans in attendance beginning on March 13, and was able to continue hosting racing through the end of the season. Cella even rescheduled the Arkansas Derby to the first Saturday in May when it was announced that Churchill Downs would postpone the Kentucky Derby.

“In racing, we have an obligation,” Cella told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “It's not like a retail store. You send your employees home and good luck and let's talk next week. We have 500 people in the backstretch. We've got 1,500 horses that have to be fed and cared for. We have our own employees, and at that time, we're ramped up to a thousand people. We can't just turn the lights off and say go home. It's not right, and we can't do it.”

Read more at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The post ‘We Have An Obligation’: Louis Cella Named Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Louis Cella Named 2020 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year

Louis Cella, the owner and president of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, has been honored as the 2020 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. When most of the rest of the country–including live sports–shut down in March, he was one of a handful of racetrack principals who were able to continue live racing and do it safely.

“In racing, we have an obligation,” Cella told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “It’s not like a retail store. You send your employees home and good luck and let’s talk next week. We have 500 people in the backstretch. We’ve got 1,500 horses that have to be fed and cared for. We have our own employees, and at that time, we’re ramped up to a thousand people. We can’t just turn the lights off and say go home. It’s not right, and we can’t do it.”

Oaklawn managed to stay open with limited attendance through closing day on May 2, a novel idea at the time and a move that was embraced by horsemen and fans. Handle numbers soared with closing day–and two divisions of the GI Arkansas Derby–more than doubling wagering at any previous day in the track’s history with $41 million.

The track’s 2021 season will begin Jan. 22 with limited admission.

The post Louis Cella Named 2020 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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