Dr.SwineSmeller
02-12-2010, 01:45 PM
For those unfamliar with Oaklawn Park owner, Charles Cella, here is tid of background on an amazing character.
Charles Cella's grandfather founded Oaklawn in about 1904, literally.
Though Charles resides most of his days in St. Louis and always has, he is our "cuzzin' Charles" here in Arkansas. I'll explain why...
About 14 years ago, when the racing tracks aroud the country were being bought up by corporates, forming race track conglomerates, the blazing corporates more or less tried to strong arm Cella into selling his family's legacy, Oaklawn Park. The corporates basically threatened that without their money and conglomerated power, they would squash Oaklawn like a bug on the national scene if Cella didn't sell. This was all at a time when the horse racing industry was struggling as a whole, and simulcast and gaming funds were not in the works as they are now.
Charles flat told the corporates to take a hike... or take a giant flipping leap, was closer as I remember.
At that time, Cella was losing money keeping the track open. So he went to visit his many friends in the Arkansas State Legislature, (that would be all the big fellers in suits who are well aware of the educational budget contributions that the Cella family racetrack has almost forever provided to the state coffers), and the Arkansas legislature took the necessary steps to work with Cella on a solid long term game plan to revive our beloved 100 year old horse racing track. Now, not only has Oaklawn been revived, as Cella continues to implement more successful programs, with the state of Arkansas' backing, Oaklawn is flourishing, with more state education dollars flowing into state education coffers than ever before. And, Cella continues to create more local jobs, at a time when unemployment is high. And most of all, he is a charitable man. If anyone ever paid back for his fortunance, Cella has.
And talk about blowing a windy one, were the corporates ever wrong in their scorn?... As they were closing many of their busted out "corporately owned" racetracks within just a few years, Cella was free enterprising and growing new roots stronger than ever. The corporates even mockingly laughed at Cella's "ignorant" refusal to sell out. But who's been laughing for the last ten years? That would be cuzzin' Charles and his much larger corp team, the "Arkanasas Corps". Fact is, Cella is bringing to full life the biggest race imaginable between these majestic ladies, to thoroughbred horse racing fans.
Hard facts are, in the last 7 years, Charles Cella has built somewhat of a skyrocket pad-dynasty out of Oaklawn Park for the USA's elite 3 year old thoroughbreds. Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, Smarty Jones, Lawyer Ron, Afleet Alex, Summer Bird, all triple crown race winners, all started their 3 year old campaign at Oaklawn, and that notoriety list goes on longer... No single racetrack, from New York, down to Florida, up to Kentucky, and out to California, has came close to prepping the number of 3 year old champions that Cella has of this past decade. Supergirl Zenyatta has even stood in the Oaklawn winners circle.
And now, for the first time ever, in his trying for a long time, Cella is the owner of the undefeated 3 year old colt, Dryfly, who may well prove to be the cream of this years' 3 year old Oaklawn crop. Most probably, Dryfly would be considered the Arkansas Derby favorite as of now. Cella, and trainer Lynn Whiting, (Lil' ET'S trainer), are making a very serious run at the Kentucky roses with Dryfly. Cella had a living dream for his grandfather's Oaklawn racing legacy to continue, and he made it happen. And Cella will tell you, second to Oaklawn's surgence, he has always dreamed of wearing the roses on the first Saturday in May. Would Dryfly, draped in red roses, be the capper to the last decades success on top of a lifetime of dedication to the sport Cella loves so much?...You bet it would. And it couldn't happen to a better feller.
Now, it's on to Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra, Live from Oaklawn Park!
Dr. SwineSmeller :parrot:
Charles Cella's grandfather founded Oaklawn in about 1904, literally.
Though Charles resides most of his days in St. Louis and always has, he is our "cuzzin' Charles" here in Arkansas. I'll explain why...
About 14 years ago, when the racing tracks aroud the country were being bought up by corporates, forming race track conglomerates, the blazing corporates more or less tried to strong arm Cella into selling his family's legacy, Oaklawn Park. The corporates basically threatened that without their money and conglomerated power, they would squash Oaklawn like a bug on the national scene if Cella didn't sell. This was all at a time when the horse racing industry was struggling as a whole, and simulcast and gaming funds were not in the works as they are now.
Charles flat told the corporates to take a hike... or take a giant flipping leap, was closer as I remember.
At that time, Cella was losing money keeping the track open. So he went to visit his many friends in the Arkansas State Legislature, (that would be all the big fellers in suits who are well aware of the educational budget contributions that the Cella family racetrack has almost forever provided to the state coffers), and the Arkansas legislature took the necessary steps to work with Cella on a solid long term game plan to revive our beloved 100 year old horse racing track. Now, not only has Oaklawn been revived, as Cella continues to implement more successful programs, with the state of Arkansas' backing, Oaklawn is flourishing, with more state education dollars flowing into state education coffers than ever before. And, Cella continues to create more local jobs, at a time when unemployment is high. And most of all, he is a charitable man. If anyone ever paid back for his fortunance, Cella has.
And talk about blowing a windy one, were the corporates ever wrong in their scorn?... As they were closing many of their busted out "corporately owned" racetracks within just a few years, Cella was free enterprising and growing new roots stronger than ever. The corporates even mockingly laughed at Cella's "ignorant" refusal to sell out. But who's been laughing for the last ten years? That would be cuzzin' Charles and his much larger corp team, the "Arkanasas Corps". Fact is, Cella is bringing to full life the biggest race imaginable between these majestic ladies, to thoroughbred horse racing fans.
Hard facts are, in the last 7 years, Charles Cella has built somewhat of a skyrocket pad-dynasty out of Oaklawn Park for the USA's elite 3 year old thoroughbreds. Rachel Alexandra, Curlin, Smarty Jones, Lawyer Ron, Afleet Alex, Summer Bird, all triple crown race winners, all started their 3 year old campaign at Oaklawn, and that notoriety list goes on longer... No single racetrack, from New York, down to Florida, up to Kentucky, and out to California, has came close to prepping the number of 3 year old champions that Cella has of this past decade. Supergirl Zenyatta has even stood in the Oaklawn winners circle.
And now, for the first time ever, in his trying for a long time, Cella is the owner of the undefeated 3 year old colt, Dryfly, who may well prove to be the cream of this years' 3 year old Oaklawn crop. Most probably, Dryfly would be considered the Arkansas Derby favorite as of now. Cella, and trainer Lynn Whiting, (Lil' ET'S trainer), are making a very serious run at the Kentucky roses with Dryfly. Cella had a living dream for his grandfather's Oaklawn racing legacy to continue, and he made it happen. And Cella will tell you, second to Oaklawn's surgence, he has always dreamed of wearing the roses on the first Saturday in May. Would Dryfly, draped in red roses, be the capper to the last decades success on top of a lifetime of dedication to the sport Cella loves so much?...You bet it would. And it couldn't happen to a better feller.
Now, it's on to Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra, Live from Oaklawn Park!
Dr. SwineSmeller :parrot: