Tote crash at Oaklawn, Fonner

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Racing at Oaklawn Park here and Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb., was delayed Saturday after the tracks were unable to accept wagers on a portion of their cards following a computer system crash at their hub, the Amtote offices in Baltimore, Md.

The tote delay at Oaklawn began following the running of the sixth race, which went off at 3:43 p.m. Central. The computer system was restored at 5:03 p.m. Horses were in the paddock for the seventh race, which was scheduled to go off at 4:12 p.m., at the time of the tote delay, and were resaddled when the computer system was restored. The seventh race went off at 5:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, Fonner officials delayed their sixth race from 3:58 p.m. Central, until 4:28 p.m. Fonner was able to complete its entire nine-race card.

Because of darkness, Oaklawn was forced to cancel the 10th race Saturday as a result of the computer crash. The tote delay did not affect the track's pick six, however, which had a $200,116 carryover going into the races Saturday. Another $512,686 was bet into the pool for the wager, which was to end with the eighth race.