Geroux gets to work at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Florent Geroux said he was scheduled to begin working horses at Oaklawn on Wednesday after traveling to the Hot Springs, Ark., track on Tuesday. This will be the first time he winters at Oaklawn.

The local riding colony is led by Ricardo Santana Jr., a seven-time title winner at Oaklawn. Other mainstays include past title winner David Cohen and Joe Talamo, who is in his second season at Oaklawn.

Fresh look for infield

The new meet will bring a fresh look for the infield at Oaklawn.

“People will see a lot of new landscaping on the infield, and that’s for our patrons on the grandstand side as well as the hotel,” said Lou Cella, president of Oaklawn.

The track is scheduled to open its new hotel at the end of March.

◗ Oaklawn’s racing surface has been refurbished during the off-season.

“We picked up the track as we do every year, check the base, remix it, and put it back down,” Cella said.

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◗ Jason Milligan has been promoted to vice president of racing at Oaklawn. He has been with the track for 25 years and has spent the past 11 as director of operations.

◗ Bart Lang is the new stakes coordinator for Oaklawn, said Pat Pope, the track’s racing secretary. Lang previously served as director of racing for Lone Star Park.

◗ Pope said Tony Langford will be new to the Oaklawn stewards stand this meet, joining Bernie Hettel and Hal Wiggins.

◗ Those attending the races at Oaklawn will be required to wear masks and have their temperatures checked. There also will be a no-smoking policy in place, Cella said.

◗ Plans to build two new barns for this meet have been pushed back to next year due to the pandemic, Cella said.

◗ Cella said general parking will be free this meet.

◗ Pope said there will be an additional pick five on the wagering menu.