HOT SPRINGS -- The constant of change overrides everything, including die-hard tradition.
Oaklawn Park President Louis Cella had that in mind when he announced last spring that the racetrack would alter a schedule that seemed set in stone. Thoroughbred owners, trainers, jockeys, race officials, track employees and 100 or more fans gathered to listen to Cella's announcement.
Oaklawn's opening day comes Friday, two weeks later in January than in the recent past. More significantly, the final day is scheduled for May 4, the same day as the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., rather than the longstanding mid-April Oaklawn finish with the Arkansas Derby, three weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
As Cella began his address April 11, he attempted to simplify the change.
"Like so many tracks that focus on and believe in tradition -- and Oaklawn believes in tradition -- we're going to create a new one," he said.
Cella said the feedback he has heard is positive.
"We know we're going to have better weather," he said. "We should, knock on wood."
Most horsemen's first concern with the schedule change did not involve climate or comfort. Their work is forever transient, and most wondered how it would affect their livelihood when the Oaklawn season ends. When one track's season ends, others' begin, and horsemen and their horses move on to race elsewhere. Oaklawn's change led to an overlap of schedules with tracks across the country.
Trainer Lynn Chleborad routinely has moved her stable from Oaklawn to Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, a track that has adjusted its schedule in deference to Oaklawn's. Last season, opening day there came April 26. This season, Prairie Meadows will start May 3.
Nevertheless, Chleborad said she remains unsure of what to expect when she makes the transition.
"There will be a learning curve for all of us, but we'll make it work," she said. "And it will work because we're going to make it work. I mean, we love to be here at the races."
Trainers and their horses are not the only ones affected.
"A lot of veterinarians have to go from one track to another," Chleborad said. "The gate crew, the valets, the jockeys. It's a big deal when a premier track changes its dates that they've had for a long, long time. Everybody has to adjust. It doesn't make it easy on anybody, but we're all going to do the best we can."
Trainer Norm McKnight, a citizen of Canada, moved his stable from Oaklawn to Woodbine in Etobicoke, Ontario, last season and plans to again this season. Woodbine is scheduled to open April 20. The overlap with Oaklawn's schedule has required changes for McKnight.
"I plan on keeping a number of horses here, so long as there are races for them, but obviously some will ship home as well," McKnight said. "It'll be an adjustment."
Trainer Chris Hartman's 60-horse stable is large enough that he routinely splits it, often with horses at Oaklawn and in Kentucky at the same time. He said the schedule makes no difference to him, except for the benefits of three weeks of warmer weather and prolonged exposure to the colors of spring around Oaklawn. Horsemen work outside and appreciate favorable weather.
"The weather is just getting good here at that time, and we've had to leave," Hartman said. "Now we don't have to leave when the weather's great.
"I think it's going to be a hit with the fans, and that's really who we should be catering to, the people who come out to watch these horses run."
Trainer Kelly Von Hemel, like Chleborad, long has moved his work to Prairie Meadows after Oaklawn.
"The problem is how it will play out afterward," Von Hemel said. "Most race meets that start after Oaklawn, where everyone is going, will overlap. You'll have to leave some horses here, get some up to wherever you're going, and that's where it will be difficult, but it will work. It'll all work out. When it's all said and done, it won't be any big deal, and everything will work out for everybody."
Paul Holthus trains the 3-year-old gelding Six Shooter, who is entered in Oaklawn's $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race scheduled for Friday. Holthus will move his stable of 16 horses to race at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., when Oaklawn's season ends.
"The last three weeks here, the weather will be good," Holthus said. "The crowds will be good. It will be an exciting time for racing at Oaklawn Park, I think.
"Obviously, a lot of us are going to have to split our stables a little bit those last three weeks. Some of us are going to go to places where they're running, but it's not a big deal."
Oaklawn trainer Ron Moquett, who maintains his primary residence a city block east of Oaklawn's backstretch, said change always has been a part of the game.
"We've had to make adjustments," Moquett said. "Everything is an adjustment, but we're here, and we're ready, and we're excited about getting to stay as long as we're going to get to."
Sports on 01/20/2019