Louis Cella | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fan Restriction Forces Oaklawn To Cut Overnight Purses 15 Percent

After Wednesday's announcement that Oaklawn Park will allow a limited number of fans at the 2021 race meet, track president Louis Cella told the Daily Racing Form that overnight purses will be decreased by approximately 15 percent.

“Because we had to restrict our fans, that part of the formula is reduced,” Cella told DRF. “Instead of $700,000 (per day), we'll be at about $600,000. That's still the highest in the nation. No one's close to that.”

Oaklawn's first condition book is being reprinted to reflect the purse changes, but stakes purses won't be changed.

Cella said he hopes wagering numbers from off-track patrons will allow Oaklawn to boost purses early in the meet.

‘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.

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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.

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Mark Casse On Clenbuterol Changes

Editor’s Note: In Monday’s TDN, Bill Finley made reference to Mark Casse’s comments on Clenbuterol in a Mar. 2 Op/Ed in the TDN. Casse sent us this note in response.

Much has changed since my Mar. 2 Op/Ed with regards to Clenbuterol. Canada made big changes to their Clenbuterol policy and, as a result, we have seen almost none of the nonsensical form reversals that had haunted us in the past at Woodbine in 2020. I was elated to see the Clenbuterol changes for 2021 in the Mid-Atlantic region. Also, I commend Louis Cella and Oaklawn for their revised Clenbuterol policies. And just today, I read where The Stronach Group has implemented new Clenbuterol rules for the upcoming Gulfstream Park Championship Meet. Cheers!

My question is, what is taking Kentucky and Louisiana so long to get on board? I am very disappointed that we ran the recent Breeders’ Cup series at Keeneland with the same Clenbuterol rules that have failed us in the past. In life and horse racing, there are not many things I am certain of, but one thing I am positive about is the need for the Horse Integrity and Safety Act to be passed by the Senate. Because only when we have national uniformity of medication rules will inequities of this patchwork quilt that has plagued the sport be solved.

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