OAK TREE BOARD MEMBER: WE CAN CONCENTRATE ON GOING TO DEL MAR AND WORKING OUT AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM
After Frank Stronach of MI Developments and owner of Santa Anita made it clear he would allow Oak Tree to run in 2010 but was uncertain of any future meets, the Oak Tree Racing Association has started to look for other options. Board member John Barr is pushing for Del Mar.
"Mr. Stronach does not want us there in the future," Barr said. "We don’t have any hope we will be there beyond 2010. We can concentrate on going to Del Mar and working out an agreement with them."
Del Mar president Craig Fravel seems to want Oak Tree at Del Mar in 2011. "Both the fair grounds and us have said we’re interested in doing this."
Then come back to the Paulick Report and let us know what you think
Tags: bradford cummings, craig fravel, Del Mar, espn, Frank Stronach, john barr, mi developments, oak tree racing association, Paulick Report, santa anita
June 24th, 2010 at 9:30 am
I hope it works out. Del Mar becomes a ghost town the monday before labor day. If they can get going on widening the turf course and grab the Breeders Cup, it might be ok.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:24 am
This is total BS because the DMTC has only 1 year left on their lease plus what are they going to do about their unsafe POLYCRAP track and Turf Course?????
Fravel is just grabbing headlines at the expense of OT and Death Mar will NOT be OT’s new location….
Jerry Jam
June 24th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Jerry,
I can’t believe you are spouting that crap.
People might not like Del Mar’s poly, but it is way safer than before.
And they have 1 yr on their extension, but really, who is going to wrest it away from them?
Frank?
You?
And you know its already a done deal for Oak Tree to be at Del Mar.
Please don’t make me sorry I have been supporting you because I thought you were sane.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:43 am
What is the deal with all the anger and turmoil in California? Bottom line is that horse racing is a business that has to attract fans (ie customers) to survive. Seems that Del Mar has a proven track record of doing that very well. Why are people in the industry who presumably care about its survival ripping it apart? Quite a conundrum for a place with so much potential!
June 24th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Ahhh San Diego in the fall,I just love it.Screw Frank! Del Mar is a great move if you ask me.
June 24th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Must find a way to change Del Mar to a safe dirt surface. Horsemen are not satisfied with the current synthetic.
There are also logistical problems for L.A. based trainers in the fall months. Not insurmountable.
The polytrack is he most difficult. It just doesn’t work.
June 24th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
The California Horse Racing Board has the duty in assigning racing dates to maximize benefit for the State (handle) and secondarily for the horse industry. I do not see that the Oak Tree Racing Association at Del Mar necessarily does this, as opposed to assigning the dates to Santa Anita. The Board should do a careful comparative analysis if indeed Santa Anita applies for these dates.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
DonW,
The Del Mar racetrack has the distinction of being North America’s Number One track in terms of average daily attendance and handle for more than a decade. As a result the CHRB would likely be fulfilling it’s duty to the maximum by awarding the Oak Tree dates to Del Mar.
June 25th, 2010 at 7:21 am
The Breeders’ Cup is responsible for a very large portion of the anger out there. They shouldn’t have held their event on synthetics, they shouldn’t be looking at holding their event on synthetics in the future, and they shouldn’t be looking to do a long-term contract to go to any one track, much less one that has a synthetic surface.
June 25th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Jerry,
The people have spoken. At least those who vote in the Breeder’s Cup elections. We are tired of you.