Oklahoma meets shift

The Oklahoma Racing Commission has given preliminary approval to a 2003 racing calendar that eliminates the traditional spring Quarter Horse meet at Remingtion Park in Oklahoma City and drops Thoroughbred racing at Fair Meadows in Tulsa.

A final vote will be made at the next commission meeting, on Sept. 26.

Remington asked to drop its Quarter Horse season because officials project a $2 million loss on the meet. The track did request a Thoroughbred meet for 2003, however, and pre-approval was given to a 65-day season from Aug. 9 to Nov. 30.

Fair Meadows, which this year ran both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, was given preliminary approval for a 44-day meet next year that would feature Quarter Horses. The meet is tentatively scheduled to extend from April 3 to June 7.

No major changes were requested by Blue Ribbon Downs, which was given preliminary approval for its traditional 84-day mixed meet.

Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, did not seek dates for 2003, and has canceled its fall Thoroughbred meet for 2002.